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Organization: Pincher Creek Legion

Town and MD approve $467,255 for six community groups

Written on . Posted in Civic & Government.

Six local organizations will receive a combined $467,255 in 2026 funding from the Town and Municipal District of Pincher Creek after councils reviewed their requests at a special joint budget meeting Sept. 9.

Funding amounts are split equally between the town and MD.

The meeting also prompted a push to rethink the joint budget process, after councillors questioned whether recurring recipients should be treated as ongoing budget lines and raised concerns about incomplete financial information.

Councils also approved 2027 per-capita grants for 21 community groups.

Pincher Creek Municipal Library

The largest allocation is $285,000 for the library.

The library requested a 7.5 per cent increase in its municipal funding for 2027, followed by annual increases of five per cent from 2028 through 2030.

Representatives told councillors library visits are up an average of 10 per cent since 2022 and cardholders by six per cent. Programming sessions are up 25 per cent and participation is up 20 per cent over the same period.

The library also highlighted expanded programming, a reorganized children’s section and a partnership with United for Literacy. It would like to use the former Consistent Fitness space in the multipurpose facility for programming.

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Library board members asked why they had not heard back on three expansion options presented months ago. Town officials said they cannot afford the $4 million originally sought from the town but are open to a lower-cost option.

Grant specialist

The Southwest Alberta Sustainable Community Initiative will receive $80,000 for its grant specialist position.

SASCI representatives said the program has helped secure $13.2 million in funding since it began in 2018.

The grant writer applied for $2.1 million and obtained $1.12 million in funding for 2025.

Humane society

The Pincher Creek Humane Society will receive $40,000. The shelter helped 276 animals in 2025.

The organization said veterinary costs are its largest expense at about $100,000 annually. It is exploring an in-house veterinary service to reduce those costs.

Heritage Acres

The Oldman River Antique Equipment and Threshing Club, which runs Heritage Acres Farm Museum, will receive $35,000.

The group had asked for $200,000 for redevelopment, conditional on securing more funding to hire staff. The club said the $200,000 would help unlock matching grants rather than cover operating costs.

Event poster for a Secondhand Dreamcar concert at the Empress Theatre on November 20, 2026, at 7:30 PM, featuring a photo of the band members.

Heritage Acres representatives said gate admissions for the museum’s annual show increased 64 per cent over the previous year.

The funding motion included an offer of a letter of support and future case-by-case funding talks.

Search and rescue

The Southwest Alberta Regional Search and Rescue Society will receive $22,255. The society’s 30 members have volunteered more than 2,600 hours, not including administration and equipment maintenance.

The group responded to 22 call-outs in the previous 12 months, including incidents requiring helicopter and long-line rescue resources.

Historical society

The Pincher Creek and District Historical Society, which runs Kootenai Brown Historical Park, will receive $5,000.

Council members said incomplete financial information from the society made it difficult to make decisions involving taxpayer funds.

The society’s board president said there was confusion over what financial information had been requested and what had been submitted.

Joint grants under review

The councils directed the joint grant subcommittee to review the history of the six organizations included in the joint budget and develop a policy and framework for the process. Councillors also raised concerns about financial reporting from some organizations.

A bearded man in a cap smiles while playing guitar. Text promotes a Lloyd Spiegel concert at Empress Theatre, October 14, 2026, with ticket details and contact info.

Councillors said joint grants are discretionary and do not guarantee ongoing funding. The review is intended to clarify how organizations become part of the joint budget and how future requests should be assessed.

Per-capita grants

For 2027, councils also approved per-capita funding for 21 community organizations:

—Syncline Castle Alpine Trails Association, $380

—McMan Youth, Family and Community Services Association, $500

—Pincher Creek Dolphins Swim Club, $1,500

—Five-Pin Bowling Association, $2,000

—Pincher Creek Mustangs Football Club, $2,000

—Windsor Heritage Drop-In Centre, $2,000

—Coalfields Community Centre, $2,500

—The Cowboy Show, $2,500

—Group Group Youth Society of Pincher Creek, $2,500

—Adaptable Outdoors, $3,000

—Pincher Creek and District Agricultural Society, $4,000

—Pincher Creek Care Bears Society, $5,000

—Pincher Creek Royal Canadian Legion Branch 43, $5,000

—Pincher Planters $5,000

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—SASCI, $5,000

—Pincher Creek and District Community Food Centre, $7,160

—Pincher Creek and District Chamber of Commerce, $7,500

—Community Hall, $15,000

—Pincher Creek Handi-Bus Society, $15,000

—Allied Arts Council of Pincher Creek, $20,000

—Pincher Creek Family Centre, $30,000

Correction: A Sept. 23 version of this story incorrectly reported that overall attendance at Heritage Acres Farm Museum rose 64 per cent over the previous year. The 64 per cent increase was in gate admissions for the museum’s annual show.

Related stories

Town council briefs: Heritage Acres grants, joint meeting agenda

Briefs from the March 23 town council table

Community Grants, Municipal Funding, Non-Profits

An older woman with glasses and short gray hair, wearing a white jacket and pink shirt, stands among several black wheelchairs in a room with white walls.

Donations sought for Legion wheelchair washer

Written on . Posted in Community Life.

The Pincher Creek Legion’s medical equipment lending cabinet has grown into a quiet community lifeline, but volunteers now need help keeping up with the wheelchairs, walkers and scooters coming into and out of the basement storage room.

The local Legion branch is requesting donations for a wheelchair washing unit as part of a planned upgrade of its basement medical cabinet space.

Volunteer co-ordinator Lou Burnham says the unit will allow donated equipment to be professionally cleaned and sanitized in minutes.

“Currently, my very small group of volunteers and I spend so much time cleaning each walker, wheelchair or mechanized scooter that is donated or returned, trying to get into every crevice with spray cleaners and cleaning wipes,” she says.

“Having a wheelchair washing unit will be so much more efficient.”

It will also save time when used with other types of equipment.

Burnham volunteered to organize the collection of wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, canes, toilet seat risers and other items donated to the Legion’s medical cabinet for use by the general public. The collection also includes a number of large motorized scooters.

The collection has grown far bigger than expected, overwhelming the small crew that manages it. Even the Red Cross and staff at the Lethbridge hospital now recommend those in need of such supplies contact the Pincher Creek Legion.

There is no charge to borrow equipment, but the Legion asks for a donation when items are returned. The medical equipment lending program operates entirely on those donations.

To learn more about accessing, assisting with or financially supporting the medical cabinet, call or text Lou at 403-627-7621 or visit www.pinchercreeklegion.com.

Accessibility, Fundraising, Medical Equipment

A Canadian flag and metal maple leaf marker stand beside a veteran's grave at Fairview Cemetery.

Battling flying foes, determined volunteers honour local veterans

Written on . Posted in Community Life, History & Heritage.

It was a battle of wills last Wednesday evening at Fairview Cemetery as 13 dedicated volunteers tried to keep swarms of mosquitoes at bay. Determined to place a Canadian flag on the grave of every military veteran and North West Mounted Police and RCMP officer, they persisted against the bloodthirsty opponents.

Jackie Wiens says in the 24 years since the project began, the mosquitoes had never been this bad.

“It was unbelievable. They just rose up in clouds around you,” she says.

Project lead Darren Moen agrees. “They were relentless,” he says.

 

Volunteers stand by the veterans memorial at Fairview Cemetery after placing Canadian flags.
Volunteers placed Canadian flags on veterans’ graves at Fairview Cemetery on June 24. From left are Aynsley Nelson, David Bruder, David Glass, Jeremy Nelson, John Radvak, Jackie Wiens, Craig Haines, Sue Johnson, Justin Davis and Darren Moen. Missing are Francine Sorge and Brenda Sorge.

Photo by Angie Moen

 

Behind the twice-yearly ritual lies a story that stretches back generations.

In 1947, Jackie’s grandmother, Alma Dilworth, travelled to Adegem, Belgium, and Nijmegen, Netherlands, to visit the graves of her sons, James and Herman, who lost their lives in 1944.

The family believes Alma may have been among the first Canadian mothers to visit these cemeteries. She was deeply moved by how lovingly the Dutch and Belgian people had adopted the graves of the Canadian soldiers, even planting maple trees around the cemetery perimeter.

When she returned to Canada, Alma was interviewed by the Winnipeg Free Press. She explained how well the Canadian graves were being cared for, with flowers placed throughout and a white-painted cross bearing the fallen soldier’s name and number at every grave.

Poster for Pincher Creek Chamber’s 31st Annual Awards of Excellence on October 23, 2026. Ticket prices and event details are listed, with a link for tickets at PincherChamber.ca/tickets.

This image never left her daughter, Emily Rainford.

In 2002, Emily approached the Pincher Creek Legion, wanting to recognize the sacrifices of local veterans around Remembrance Day and Canada Day. She had a list of 120 veterans buried in local cemeteries and flags were placed on their graves.

But flags are not permanent, so the following year, the group followed the lead of the Quill Lake Legion in Saskatchewan, installing permanent metal markers. The silhouetted words One Who Served Their Country are inscribed on the maple-leaf-shaped markers.

Emily again took the lead, approaching the Town of Pincher Creek for permission to place the grave markers.

As she put it then, “We have to tell the story. I’m 80 years old and we have to start teaching our young people what our veterans gave up for their country.”

In January 2004, four retired Shell Waterton employees requested $3,800 to purchase 200 metal maple leaves through the Shell Community Service Fund. The funding was directed through the Pincher Creek Senior Citizens Recreation Society.

Shell also donated the aluminum tubing to be attached to each leaf and filled with cement provided by the Town of Pincher Creek. Through the work of Bob Millar, Dave Millar and Matt Rainford, by June 2004 the first 120 metal leaves were installed. By Nov. 11, 2004, 184 veteran graves were marked at Fairview Cemetery and seven more in smaller cemeteries in the region.

Both Emily and Jackie received certificates of recognition from the Pincher Creek Legion for their services related to the Veterans Grave Remembrance project.

Ace of spades card on ad for Chase the Ace at the Pincher Creek Legion

Over time, the project has grown to more than 300 flags on graves in five local cemeteries: Fairview Cemetery, the old Pioneer Cemetery, Trinity Lutheran Cemetery on the Waterton Highway, St. Henry’s Catholic Church Cemetery off Highway 505 and the Fishburn United Church Cemetery on Highway 507.

The project goes far beyond the twice-yearly flag placings. Until he stepped down four years ago, Dave Millar also checked the graves in all five locations throughout the year, looking for lawnmower damage to the maple-leaf markers, repainting or replacing them as needed.

Now Darren Moen walks in Millar’s footsteps. He says new names are added to the list only when family members tell the Legion about a veteran’s grave.

“That is the only way the register is built. We don’t get the information unless family members come forward,” he says.

While Darren’s great-great-grandfather served in the Boer War, he stresses that people do not need a military connection to be involved with the Legion or in veteran-related projects like this.

The flags will be removed after Canada Day to prevent them from becoming litter in the next big windstorm.

Canada Day, Local History, Military History, Remembrance Day, Veterans, Veterans Grave Remembrance, Volunteerism

Two women stand in the Pincher Creek Lgion medical cupboard, a room filled with medical equipment and mobility aids. Lou Burnham is wearing a vest with a Legion patch and Maggie Christians is wearing a Legion shirt with a poppy pin on the collar.

Pincher Creek Legion seeks return of borrowed medical equipment

Written on . Posted in Community Life.

Pincher Creek Legion’s medical cupboard program continues to help individuals with mobility issues gain access to medical equipment, and now those responsible for it are asking anyone who has borrowed equipment they no longer need to return it for the next person.

The lending program, run almost entirely through donations, provides free access to mobility aids and other medical equipment for anyone in Pincher Creek and surrounding communities who may need them.

Items can be borrowed for any length of time, from a few weeks to several years, and there is no requirement to be a Legion member or veteran.

“We have medical equipment that people can borrow at any time, like wheelchairs, walkers, canes, etc., that people can borrow for as long as they need,” says Lou Burnham, who chairs the program.

“All we ask is if they can give us a donation in return, because we operate on donations to cover repairs and sanitation.”

The program began shortly before the Covid-19 pandemic, when a number of walkers and canes were donated to the Legion. A member suggested that the branch should start a lending program, and the idea took hold, but the pandemic forced a delay.

When the pandemic passed and life returned to normal, the program was quickly reorganized. Volunteers built a dedicated 225-square-foot room in the basement of the Legion to house the growing collection of donated medical equipment.

Since then, residents have continued to make their mark on the program by donating their own medical equipment that’s no longer in use. Community generosity has been so plentiful, the equipment storage room is now packed to the brim with dozens of items.

Wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, canes, shower chairs, raised toilet seats and more are all free to borrow for those who need them.

 

Medical cupboard committee chairwoman Lou Burnham, left, and Legion president Maggie Christians display some of the many mobility aids in stock at the Pincher Creek Legion branch.

Medical cupboard committee chairwoman Lou Burnham, left, and Legion president Maggie Christians display some of the many mobility aids in stock at the Pincher Creek Legion branch.

 

“It’s getting busier all the time, which is what we wanted. We wanted people to use it,” says Lou, noting that the program had seven requests in five days the previous week.

While the total number is unknown, Lou estimates that hundreds of individuals have benefited from the program since January 2023.

Most might expect the majority of users to be seniors, she says, but the age range is actually much wider. Some who have directly benefited from the program are in their 40s and 50s.

“We don’t have a lot of young people, but we do still have some in their 20s using it because of [an injury] or a disability,” Lou says.

Demand for the program remains strong, with the Legion looking to expand the storage space and its operating capabilities in the near future.

A new 400-square-foot room is in the planning stages, and it’s hoped construction can begin in spring once engineering reports are finalized and approvals are in place.

It’s also hoped that a sanitizer can be added to the room to ease the workload on volunteers, who currently have to sanitize each item by hand. While the expected cost would be about $50,000, Lou is hopeful the Legion and community can make it a reality.

In the meantime, volunteers continue to focus on ensuring that those in need of medical equipment can gain easy access to it.

“If someone is finished with a piece of equipment, we’d really appreciate getting it back, because there’s always someone else who needs it,” Lou says.

Residents who wish to return borrowed items, donate equipment or learn more about the medical cupboard program can stop by the Pincher Creek Legion during operating hours.

For assistance and inquiries, the branch can also be reached at 403-627-4024 or at rclegion43@outlook.com.

Alberta | AB, Community Giving, Community Giving – Pincher Creek, Health, Lou Burnham – Pincher Creek, Maggie Christians – Pincher Creek, Royal Canadian Legion, Veterans

RCMP officer in dress uniform and campaign hat at outdoor ceremony with people in background

RCMP officers stand with veterans for Remembrance Day

Written on . Posted in Community Life, RCMP & Public Safety, Remembrance Day, Special Features.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers will stand alongside veterans and Legion members at Pincher Creek’s Remembrance Day ceremony, continuing a long tradition of honouring shared service to Canada.

Officers wearing the RCMP’s distinctive ceremonial uniform, the Red Serge, will participate in the Nov. 11 ceremony at Community Hall, joined by firefighters and community peace officers.

“RCMP will be attending the Remembrance Day Ceremony with the local Legion to honour and remember the men and women who served, and continue to serve, this nation,” says Const. Rachel Welsh of the Pincher Creek detachment.

The Royal Canadian Legion has long recognized the RCMP as part of its service family, with officers serving as sentries and active participants in annual ceremonies.

“They’ve always been involved in our services over the years,” says Dick Burnham, service officer for the Pincher Creek Legion. “They are an honour guard at the cenotaph that we have set up and they have always taken part.”

The Legion recognizes RCMP members as ordinary members and veterans, acknowledging their service in various conflicts and peacekeeping missions over the decades.

Retired RCMP member Nigel Whittington will assist with wreath-laying during this year’s ceremony.

Burnham says the Legion values its bond with the RCMP and other emergency services.

“I think it strengthens the bond, and it’s good to recognize them and we welcome them as members of the Legion,” he says. “We have always been very happy to have them involved.”

Personal meaning for officer

“Remembrance Day is a time to honour sacrifice, service and duty,” says Const. Welsh, who comes from a military family.

“The act of remembrance is deeply personal and important to me. With being an RCMP officer we are part of the Armed Forces regiment, so we both honour those who have served this country.”

Welsh says strong values are instilled in RCMP officers early in their training, where drill classes emphasize respect for the uniform and pride in belonging to a national police service with deep roots in Canadian history.

“It makes me proud and honoured to be a Canadian putting on the RCMP uniform every day,” she shares. “Remembrance Day reminds us officers of the courage, loyalty and integrity that comes with wearing the uniform.”

Ongoing veteran services

The Legion’s commitment to RCMP members extends beyond Remembrance Day through year-round veteran services.

“Our veteran service branch across Canada and our local service officer will help them deal with any problems they have with their pensions and disability claims,” Burnham says.

Several retired RCMP members continue to reside and maintain community connections in Pincher Creek.

Community support encouraged

Burnham encourages community support for all veterans through the local Poppy Campaign.

“Our funds are used to assist veterans locally — both Canadian Armed Forces and RCMP and their families.”

Burnham’s work continues year-round as he helps veterans with their needs. As soon as the Nov. 11 ceremony is done, he will start working on next year’s campaign.

Read the complete 2025 Shootin’ the Breeze Remembrance Day Feature

A Canadian flag and a maple leaf-shaped memorial plaque reading “One Who Served This Country” are placed on a grassy grave, with poppies nearby. The image is on the cover of a newspaper titled "Shootin’ the Breeze.

Strong local journalism matters to Canadian communities

This article was reported and written by Shootin’ the Breeze’s Local Journalism Initiative reporter.

The Local Journalism Initiative is a federally funded program that supports original public-interest journalism in smaller or underserved communities across Canada. Content produced through the initiative is editorially independent and may be shared by other Canadian media outlets.

Stories like this are reported to keep readers informed and connected — and to reflect real Canadian life.

 

Alberta | AB, Canadian Armed Forces, Dick Burnham, Nigel Whittington – Pincher Creek, Rachel Welsh – Pincher Creek, Remembrance Day, Royal Canadian Legion, Veterans

Woman volunteer organizing boxes of red poppies in Legion storage area with volunteer in background

Legion launches Poppy Campaign to support local veterans

Written on . Posted in Community Life, Remembrance Day, Special Features.

With Remembrance Day just around the corner, Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 43 in Pincher Creek has launched its annual Poppy Campaign. Members are currently distributing the symbolic red flowers in exchange for voluntary donations.

Legion members have placed poppy boxes in businesses across the community to raise funds that support local veterans and their families. The campaign started on the last Friday in October and runs until Nov. 11.

Volunteers also have tables set up at visible locations, with colourful poppies available to honour our nation’s veterans.

“The poppy is more than a symbol. It’s a reminder of those who served and a way for all of us to give something back,” says John Reid, co-chair of this year’s local campaign and a 33-year veteran of the British Army.

Funds stay in the community

Poppy Campaign funds are held in trust at the branch level, primarily to support veterans and their families within the community. Support can include food, heating costs, clothing, prescription medications, essential home repairs, medical equipment, research into mental and physical health needs, and much more.

The local Legion recently provided winter clothing for a veteran facing financial hardship, construction tools so another could start a new job, and specialized medical equipment for a veteran’s child.

According to Dick Burnham, branch service officer for the Pincher Creek Legion, funds are dispersed directly to assist veterans of the Canadian Armed Forces and RCMP, and their families.

“Money raised through the Poppy Campaign goes towards supporting people in need within the community,” says Reid. “We have a medical room in the basement with walkers and scooters, and if a veteran needs equipment, we’ll make sure they have what they need.”

The Pincher Creek Legion also provides bursaries for students who are descendants of veterans, PTSD research at the University of Alberta and advocacy programs that help veterans navigate benefits through Veterans Affairs Canada.

While poppy boxes remain the cornerstone of the annual fundraiser, the campaign also raises money through wreath sales to businesses, organizations and families, and charitable donations made directly to the branch.

Year-round remembrance

Introduced in 1921, following the Royal Canadian Legion’s adoption of the poppy as a symbol of remembrance, the Poppy Campaign has become a nationally recognized means of honouring those who serve. Poppies are distributed freely in communities nationwide, with donations supporting veterans and their families.

Burnham emphasizes that remembrance and expressing gratitude to servicemen and servicewomen shouldn’t be limited to a single day each year.

“Remembrance, to me, is year-round. It’s always something I think about,” he says. “We have to teach the younger people that we’re remembering the people who fought for us, who gave us the freedoms that we have today.”

Donations can be made at poppy boxes throughout the community, in-person at the Legion, or directly to the branch’s Poppy Fund via e-transfer to poppyfund43@outlook.com.

 

Read the complete 2025 Shootin’ the Breeze Remembrance Day Feature

A Canadian flag and a maple leaf-shaped memorial plaque reading “One Who Served This Country” are placed on a grassy grave, with poppies nearby. The image is on the cover of a newspaper titled "Shootin’ the Breeze.

 

Alberta | AB, Canadian Armed Forces, Dick Burnham, John Reid – Pincher Creek, Remembrance Day, Royal Canadian Legion, Social Services, Veterans

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MD of Pincher Creek approves traffic bylaw, LED sign funding

Written on . Posted in Civic & Government.

From traffic rules and land use changes to Remembrance Day tributes and a new electronic signboard, MD of Pincher Creek council touched on matters ranging from the practical to the ceremonial during its Sept. 9 meeting.

Council gave first reading to Bylaw 1365-25, a new traffic bylaw that would regulate vehicles, parking, animals and pedestrian activity across the MD.

According to administration, the bylaw reflects the municipality’s growing enforcement services and is intended to ensure orderly use of public spaces, enhance public safety and improve enforcement of local rules.

The bylaw will be discussed at a public meeting, scheduled for Oct. 6 at 6 p.m., to allow residents to provide feedback.

Bylaw 1361-25, amending the MD’s land use bylaw adopted in 2024, received second and third readings. The bylaw received first reading on June 10 and a public hearing was held July 8.

The amendments update parking requirements for tourist homes at Castle Mountain Resort, clarify procedures for public open houses, and introduce data centre operations as a new permitted use.

Administration said the updates are meant to keep the land use framework aligned with community expectations and provincial regulations while supporting responsible development.

On the infrastructure side, council approved an additional $11,000 from the MD buildings reserve to complete installation of an electronic community events board at the administration building.

Originally budgeted at $30,000, the LED sign will display community announcements, events and other municipal information. MD public works will handle installation of the sign, measuring four by eight feet.

The meeting also included support for local initiatives and recognition of community milestones.

Council approved an $800 gold-level sponsorship for the Pincher Creek and District Chamber of Commerce Awards of Excellence.

It also agreed to provide a raffle donation to Pincher Creek Minor Hockey and will send a letter of support to the Pincher Creek Emergency Services Commission for a Forestry Resource Improvement Association of Alberta grant application.

Remembrance Day activities were formally acknowledged, with Reeve Rick Lemire proclaiming Nov. 5 to 11 as Veterans Week and Nov. 8 as Indigenous Veterans Day.

Council authorized the Royal Canadian Legion to begin canvassing for wreath and poppy sales starting Oct. 16 and to distribute poppy boxes at the end of October.

Youth groups will also be involved in residential canvassing on the first Saturday of November. A delegation from the Legion will present poppies to council at the Oct. 26 meeting.

Other discussions included a quarterly health and safety update presented by MD health and safety specialist Michelle Stuart, and exploration of signage options for Fisher Bridge and other tourist sites.

Council also discussed topics to raise with Municipal Affairs Minister Dan Williams at the upcoming Rural Municipalities of Alberta fall convention. Key discussion points include circular materials regulations, Section 6.19 of the Municipal Government Act that gives provincial approvals priority over municipal decisions, and conservation easement regulations.

Council agreed to respond to a resident’s inquiry regarding the long-term effects of industrial development and management of bankrupt industrial sites.

It also confirmed plans for the Foothills Little Bow meeting on Sept. 19, ensuring proper acknowledgments, door prizes and RSVPs from attending councillors.

 

Strong local journalism matters to Canadian communities

This article was reported and written by Shootin’ the Breeze’s Local Journalism Initiative reporter. 

The Local Journalism Initiative is a federally funded program that supports original public-interest journalism in smaller or underserved communities across Canada. Content produced through the initiative is editorially independent and may be shared by other Canadian media outlets.

Stories like this are created to keep readers informed and connected — and to reflect real Canadian life.

Alberta | AB, Castle Mountain Resort – Alberta, Dan Williams – Government of Alberta, Michelle Stuart – Pincher Creek, Pincher Creek Chamber of Commerce – Pincher Creek, Pincher Creek Hockey Association, Remembrance Day, Rural Municipalities of Alberta | RMA

Three men stand indoors holding a large cheque for $1,000 from The Royal Canadian Legion Poppy Fund. Flags and plaques are displayed in the background. All three are dressed formally, two in uniforms with medals.

Pincher Creek Legion awards $1,000 bursary

Written on . Posted in Community Life.

Adam Noel received an academic bursary of $1,000 from the Pincher Creek Legion, presented June 8 by John Reid and Fred White on behalf of the branch.

Adam was eligible for the award through his great-grandfather, a veteran whose service connects the family to the Legion’s long-standing commitment to supporting education for descendants of those who served.

The Legion congratulates Adam and wishes him continued success.

Adam Noel – Pincher Creek, Alberta | AB, Fred White – Pincher Creek, John Reid – Pincher Creek, Organizations, Royal Canadian Legion, Veterans

A yellow sticky note with the handwritten message "Apply now!" is placed on a wooden surface.

MD and town invite 2026 grant applications from nonprofits

Written on . Posted in Alberta.

The MD and Town of Pincher Creek are accepting applications for the 2026 joint council grant program, which provides funding to local organizations and non-profits delivering events and services that benefit the community.

Applications will be accepted until Aug. 1, 2025, and must be submitted using the official form, available at both municipal offices or online.

This is the only opportunity for groups to apply for 2026 funding.

The funding is a way for the councils to support and encourage local organizations whose events improve the quality of life in the community.

“We do this because, without supplementary support, these activities will most likely not exist or continue to exist in our community,” the councils stated in the grant advertisement.

“We do this to support and encourage volunteers to pursue activities and events that will benefit our community. With their efforts and abilities and a bit of help from us, they will be able to do so.”

The grant program has run for over a decade, offering financial assistance to a wide range of community initiatives.

In 2024, the program received nearly $220,000 in funding requests, said Jessica McClelland, the MD’s executive assistant. Following a joint council review, the committee awarded $144,102 for 2025, shared by 20 local groups and organizations.

Among the recipients were Syncline Trails Association, which received $400, and the Lundbreck Gardeners, awarded $1,000. Mustangs Football, Napi Friendship Association and Patton Park Society also received $1,000 each.

The Community Food Bank in Pincher Creek was granted $1,200, while the Pincher Creek Agricultural Society, the Royal Canadian Legion branch and the Oldman Rose Society each received $2,000. Citizens on Patrol received $2,500.

Group Group Youth and the Ranch Rodeo were each granted $5,000. The Chamber of Commerce received $7,000, and Pincher Planters was awarded $7,500. The Care Bears Society and SASCI each received $10,000.

The Community Hall and Handi Bus Society each received $15,000. Allied Arts Council was granted $20,000 and the Family Centre received the largest grant of $36,000.

The selection process involves a joint review by both municipal councils, which assess between 25 and 30 applications annually.

“I compile all the information along with the grant writer for the grant specialist here in town, and we give the binders to the councils,” McClelland told Shootin’ the Breeze.

“In September, we have a meeting where councils go through each of the applications and decide how much money is given to each organization.”

Eligible applicants must submit a completed form along with required financial documents and, if applicable, an interim report showing how previous funding was used and the impact on the community.

The form includes 10 questions. Applicants requesting less than $1,000 must answer questions 1 through 8. Those requesting between $1,001 and $5,000 must answer questions 1 through 9. Applications seeking more than $5,000 must complete all 10 questions and may be required to make a delegation presentation at a joint council meeting.

Completed applications and all supporting materials must be submitted to Liza Dawber, Pincher Creek’s community grant specialist, by Aug. 1, 2025. Applications can be emailed to grants@pccdi.ca or mailed to PO Box 1297, Pincher Creek, AB, T0K 1W0. Questions can be directed to Dawber at 403-682-7421.

Alberta | AB, alberta news, Citizens on Patrol | COP, Community Hall Society – Pincher Creek, Group Group Youth – Pincher Creek, Indigenous Youth, Jessica McClelland – Pincher Creek, Lundbreck – Alberta, Lundbreck Gardeners, Napi Friendship Association – Pincher Creek, Organizations, Patton Park Society – Lundbreck, Pincher Creek & District Community Food Centre | Pincher Creek Food Bank, Pincher Creek Agricultural Society | Pincher Creek Ag Society, Pincher Creek Allied Arts Council, Pincher Creek Chamber of Commerce – Alberta, Pincher Creek Family Centre – Pincher Creek, Pincher Creek Handi Bus Society – Pincher Creek, Pincher Creek News, Pincher Planters – Pincher Creek, Royal Canadian Legion, Syncline Trails Association – Alberta, Youth Activities – Pincher Creek, Youth Support – Pincher Creek

A green sign with white text reads "Town of Pincher Creek" at the top and "Town Office" in large letters below. The sign is outdoors with partial views of trees and a building in the background.

Pincher Creek denies Legion’s sidewalk mural proposal

Written on . Posted in Alberta.

The Town of Pincher Creek has turned down a proposal from the local branch of the Royal Canadian Legion to paint a memorial sidewalk around its building, citing concerns about public safety, liability and long-term maintenance.

Legion secretary David Johnson presented the proposal to town council on May 12.

“Earlier, we thought that a crosswalk was a nice idea, but it’s very high maintenance,” Johnson told council. “They’re not going to last a long time. We might have to be doing them a couple of times in a year, depending on how much traffic is on them.”

The proposal outlined a plan to paint murals on the public sidewalk near the Legion building. It included white rectangles on the west- and south-facing sidewalks at 691 Main St., each featuring soldier silhouettes and other commemorative imagery.

Inspired by similar projects in Calgary and Edmonton, the artwork was envisioned as a tribute to those who have served in the Canadian military — in honour of the Royal Canadian Legion’s 100th anniversary in 2026, and the local branch’s own centennial shortly after.

Johnson said the Legion would handle both installation and upkeep using stencils, donated materials and marine-grade paint.

“All we are really looking for is approval,” Johnson said. “We plan on doing everything using our own people, and hopefully we can get some donations for the paint.”

Mayor Don Anderberg asked town administration to gather more information on the proposal and bring it back to council at a future meeting.

At the May 26 meeting, town administration presented several concerns for council to weigh before making a decision. While acknowledging the commemorative intent of the project, administration raised questions about the practicality and long-term implications of painting on public sidewalks.

Safety topped the list, with staff warning that many paints can become slippery when wet or cold. They recommended using road-grade paint like that used for crosswalks — though even that, they noted, isn’t fully proven to work on concrete sidewalks.

Administration also suggested alternatives, such as painting murals on the Legion building itself or creating a crosswalk in Legion colours.

Another concern was long-term maintenance. While the Legion planned to handle upkeep, the sidewalks are public property, meaning the town would be responsible if the Legion could no longer maintain them.

During the discussion, Coun. Mark Barber supported the Legion’s revised mural proposal, calling it tasteful and a meaningful way to honour a community institution.

However, safety and liability concerns dominated the conversation.

Coun. Wayne Oliver echoed support for the Legion’s contributions but emphasized the risk of slippery paint on sidewalks and the town’s responsibility for public safety.

“We need to be responsible to ensure that we’re not sacrificing public safety on wet paint that gets slippery,” Oliver said. “If this does go forward … all liability for slipping and falling and crashing, I suspect, would fall on us, not the Legion.”

Coun. Garry Cleland echoed this, suggesting non-slip grit paint but raising questions about who would maintain the murals and how other future mural requests would be handled.

He added that while the concept is meaningful, the town needs clear standards.

“We’re also going to be responsible for saying No or Yes to other people who apply to do it,” Cleland said.

CAO Konrad Dunbar explained that road paint used on asphalt might not perform well on concrete. He added that public-use paints, even those marketed as non-slip, require regular inspection and maintenance.

“If we go and paint this sidewalk, or we allowed it to be painted with a grit paint and it’s wearing off and becomes slippery, we’re automatically liable,” Dunbar said.

Coun. Sahra Nodge said she would support the project only if a formal funding and maintenance agreement was developed.

“I’m OK supporting this if there’s a degree of comfort that you’re able to develop some kind of funding and relationship tools that could work with them,” Nodge said.

She suggested that if sidewalk murals were to become an option for community celebrations, a broader framework and policy would be needed.

Oliver suggested alternatives like freestanding metal silhouettes would be safer and require less maintenance.

“What are other ways or means to accomplish the same end of celebrating the Legion that doesn’t have the slipperiness on the sidewalk?” he asked. “To me, it’s appealing to have free-standing steel structures kind of right there, life-size in the grass.”

Anderberg thanked the Legion for its ongoing service to the community and emphasized that the decision was based on practical constraints.

“Any paint on cement that I’ve ever been involved with, it’s a hazard,” he said. “Even though I support the Legion a lot, I can’t support this direction.”

He also voiced concern about setting a precedent without clear policy.

After reviewing these points, council ultimately decided to deny the request.

Barber proposed an amended motion to accept the report as information and direct administration to hold further discussions with the Legion to explore safer, alternative possibilities for recognizing those who have served in the Canadian military.

The amended motion passed unanimously.

Alberta | AB, alberta news, David Johnson – Pincher Creek, Municipal Councils | Governments, Pincher Creek News, Veterans

Two women stand in the Pincher Creek Lgion medical cupboard, a room filled with medical equipment and mobility aids. Lou Burnham is wearing a vest with a Legion patch and Maggie Christians is wearing a Legion shirt with a poppy pin on the collar.

Legion program provides medical equipment, mobility aids

Written on . Posted in Alberta.

Pincher Creek Legion’s medical cupboard program aims to help those with mobility issues gain access to medical equipment, and members of the Legion wish to spread the word. 

The program, which operates solely on donations, offers free loans of various mobility aids to ensure that financial constraints do not prevent anyone from accessing necessary equipment. An individual can borrow any item for as long as they need, whether for a few weeks or many years. 

“The main purpose is to supply medical equipment to the community at no cost to them. We do appreciate a donation in return if possible, but if someone can’t afford it, then they can’t afford it,” says Lou Burnham, who chairs the program committee.

The program is available to any resident of Pincher Creek and surrounding communities looking to maintain mobility and independence, regardless of whether or not they’re a Legion member or a veteran. 

Housed at the local Legion, the medical cupboard is stocked with a wide variety of equipment. Items include wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, canes, raised toilet seats, shower chairs and much more. 

“We’ve helped approximately 200 to 250 people over the last year and a half,” says Lou, describing the positive impact the program has had on community members of all ages.

The program began shortly before the Covid-19 pandemic, when the Legion received a few initial donations of walkers and canes. These donations prompted a Legion member to suggest starting a lending program, and the rest is history. 

Following an extended pandemic-related delay, the Legion elected to convert a 225-square-foot space into a dedicated storage room to house medical equipment for the program. The Legion provided supplies to convert the space, while Pincher Creek Co-op generously donated the paint.

Medical cupboard committee chairwoman Lou Burnham, left, and Legion president Maggie Christians display some of the many mobility aids in stock at the Pincher Creek Legion branch.

Medical cupboard committee chairwoman Lou Burnham, left, and Legion president Maggie Christians display some of the many mobility aids in stock at the Pincher Creek Legion branch.

Since officially organizing the medical cupboard in January 2023, the program has received a steady influx of donated mobility aids and medical equipment. Support from the community has been essential to stocking the medical cupboard.

According to Lou, about 90 per cent of the items have been donated by local residents, with the remaining items covered through monetary donations. Now boasting a large stock of medical equipment, the Legion looks to return the support of residents by offering the free loaning program.

“The community has been so great. People are getting to know more about the program and are stepping up to support us, so a big thank you to them,” says Lou.  

With a growing demand for services, plans are in motion to further expand the storage space to about 400 square feet to accommodate more equipment. There are plans to make additional pieces of medical equipment available as loan items in the future, including electric scooters. 

As the program grows, Lou encourages residents to donate medical equipment they no longer need, noting, “It doesn’t make sense for it to end up in a landfill.” 

To make a donation in support of the program, visit the Legion branch in person or head over to www.pinchercreeklegion.com.

People interested in borrowing medical equipment can contact the Legion by email at rclegion43@outlook.com or by phone at 403-627-4024. Those hoping to take advantage of the program can also head down to the branch location and speak to staff or a Legion member in person.

Alberta | AB, Lou Burnham – Pincher Creek, Maggie Christians – Pincher Creek, Medical Equipment, Mobility Equipment, Pincher Creek Events and Entertainment, Pincher Creek News, Pincher Creek Newspaper, Veterans

The front page of the Oct. 2, 2024, issue of Shootin’ the Breeze features Peter Strikes With a Gun, an Indigenous elder, in a traditional headdress and a red vest over an orange T-shirt with the headline "There's nothing on our street where the agony is." He is speaking on National Truth and Reconciliation Day in Pincher Creek, Alberta. Below is an advertisement for ski season at Castle Mountain Resort, featuring a skier and text about a sale on ski passes. Shootin’ the Breeze is a community newspaper and website covering Pincher Creek & area news in southwestern Alberta.

Shootin’ the Breeze – Oct. 2, 2024

Written on . Posted in This Week's Breeze.

Get the latest news and updates from Pincher Creek & Area. Stay in the loop with local events, community concerns and more.

This week’s Shootin’ the Breeze headlines:

There’s nothing on our street where the agony is

Grassy Mountain coal mine project: Northback faces tough questions at open house

Piikani students hear truths of their elders

Petrovic listens to community concerns over coffee in Pincher Creek

Crowsnest Pass comes together for Thunder hockey’s landfill cleanup fundraiser

Pincher Creek Legion seeks volunteers and donations for annual children’s shopping event

CNP Taxpayers’ Association meeting highlights rising taxes and municipal spending

Premier’s staffing remarks challenged by Alberta RCMP

Engagement position created to enhance cancer care for Indigenous communities in Alberta

Calgary singer Amy Nelson kicks off Live @ The Lebel concert series with sold-out show

Editorial: As we reflect upon the Gaudreau brothers’ legacies, the hockey community continues to mourn their loss

Obituary – Russell James Wiley

Frontier Canadian Recollections – Coalfields country school thrived for over half a century

Town of Pincher Creek events and notifications

Pincher Creek Humane Society Pet of the Week

Plus local events, contests, concerts, community notices, job opportunities, service directory, Coffee Break puzzles and general information for Pincher Creek, Crowsnest Pass and Piikani Nation

Pincher Creek and area news can be found in weekly issues of Shootin’ the Breeze and 24/7 online.

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Front page of July 24, 2024, issue of Shootin' the Breeze. Amid the other Parks Day activities Saturday at Beauvais Lake, Canadian Bear Safety Authority’s John Clarke led a free bear safety demonstration. Participants got to practise preparedness, awareness and measured responses as John gave them a show as the bear.

Shootin’ the Breeze – July 24, 2024

Written on . Posted in This Week's Breeze.

Discover the top headlines from Pincher Creek and Crowsnest Pass. Stay up to date with local news and events in your community.

This week’s headlines:

From Piikani Nation to Hollywood — Owen Crow Shoe Reflects on the journey to movie stardom

Pincher Creek Dolphins prepared to host ASSA regional championships

Semi accident stops traffic on Highway 6

Thank you first responders

Woman dies in Highway 3 collision

MLA comes to town for coffee and constituent chats

Heritage Acres Anual Show boasts more than tractors!

Pincher Creek Legion awards poster and literary contest winners

Nominations open for Drought-Tolerant Garden of the Week

Weathering the elements: practical strategies for extreme heat and drought

Windy Slopes provides new equipment

Alberta increases rural surveillance capacity to fight crime

Beauvais Lake brings community together in parks appreciation

Fight the heat with drought-tolerant gardens

Paws-ing to reflect on bear safety

Opinion: Shooting outside the box

Benefits of gardening

Stopping the spread of invasive species

Obituary: Harvey Bourassa

Pincher Creek Humane Society Pet of the Week

Town of Pincher Creek events and notifications

Frontier Canadian Recollections – More remembrances of old-time baseball

Plus local events, contests, concerts, community notices, job opportunities, service directory, Coffee Break puzzles and general information for Pincher Creek, Crowsnest Pass and Piikani Nation.

 

 

Accidents | Motor Vehicle | Water | Air, Alberta | AB, Alberta grizzly bears, benefits of gardening, Calgary Stampede marshal, Chris Crow Shoe, Drought | Resources | Resiliency | Preparedness, Earlene Healy, Elbow River Camp, Farley Wuth, Fire | Wildfire, Grizzly bears, Grizzly hunting, Highway 6 semi crash, John Clarke bear safety, Kevin Costner Horizon, Obituary, Owen Crow Shoe, Parks Day at Beauvais Lake, Pet of the Week, Pincher Creek baseball, Pincher Creek Dophins, Pincher Creek History, Pincher Creek Information, Pincher Creek Obituaries, rural surveillance in Alberta, S.A.L.E., Windy Slopes Health Foundation

Owen Crow Shoe of Pincher Creek rides his horse as parade marshal leading the Calgary Stampede parade on the front page of the July 10, 2024, issue of Shootin' the Breeze

Shootin’ the Breeze – July 10, 2024

Written on . Posted in This Week's Breeze.

Get the scoop on what’s happening in Pincher Creek and Crowsnest Pass. Stay informed about local news, events, and community projects.

This week’s headlines:

Owen Crow Shoe rides as Stampede parade marshal

Piikani Nation RCMP looking for suspect in aggravated assault

Pincher Creek musician Aly Williams drops first single from mountaintop

Pincher Creek Swimming Pool celebrates 25th anniversary

Alberta commits millions to methane reduction

Co-op cybersecurity incident impacts local shelves

Town, MD of Pincher Creek residents urged to conserve water as heat wave envelops province

Acceptance and strength sewn into works of local artisan Laurel Francis

Editorial: Rekindling the news flame

Editorial: Calgary Stampede recollections

Embrace Summer feature section

Geat ready for the heatwave

Try a digital detox this summer

MD of Pincher Creek sponsoring free Weeds and Wildflowers guided walks

A taste of summer

Obituary: Gertrude Welsch

Obituary: James Tillack

Celebration of life: Dana Hungar

Pincher Creek Humane Society Pet of the Week

Town of Pincher Creek events and notifications

Frontier Canadian Recollections – Chronicles of Pincher Creek area’s gas industry Part 2

Plus local events, contests, concerts, community notices, job opportunities, service directory, Coffee Break puzzles and general information for Pincher Creek, Crowsnest Pass and Piikani Nation.

Alberta | AB, Alecia Williams, Aly Williams, Bluerock Music, Brenda Shenton, Calgary Stampede, CoolPro Solutios Environmental Consulting, Copy Magic, Crowsnest Pass – Alberta, Crowsnest Pass Public Art Gallery, Cybersecurity, Dana Hungar, Diane Burt-Stuckey, Digital detox, Empress Theatre, Ethan Maier, Fire | Wildfire, Gertrude Welsch, Heavy Airship, Horizon: An American Saga, James Tillack, Joel Moller, Judy Lee, Kelly Cooley, Laurel Francis, Max Olson, Odin Shenton, Oil and Gas, Owen Crow Shoe, Pauline Warren, Peaks to Pines, Peigan Board of Education, Piikani Nation Shooting, Pincher Creek Co-op, Pincher Creek History, Pincher Creek Information, Scarlet Shenton, South Country Trappers, Summer Recipes, swimming pool, Weather, Weeds, Wildflowers, Wise Woman of the Woods

PIncher Creek dart players Dennis and Diana Plaza, and Rick and Michelle Visser

Shootin’ for the bullseye

Written on . Posted in Alberta.

Pincher Creek Legion hosted the organization’s provincial senior mixed darts tournament, held Friday and Saturday.

The home club was represented by couples Dennis and Diana Plaza, at left, and Rick and Michelle Visser.

The foursome finished seventh in the 16-team tournament. A team from Fort Saskatchewan will represent Alberta at nationals.

 

 

 

Alberta | AB, Darts, Dennis Plaza, Diana Plaza, Michelle Visser, Rick Visser, Sports

Purple circle with three raised haised hands

Pincher Creek Legion seeks board members

Written on . Posted in Alberta.

Pincher Creek Legion Branch 43 will be hosting its AGM on Dec. 10, where members will gather to elect new officers and install them into the executive committee. Up to 12 Legion members can be elected to fill positions on the executive board, and the branch hopes that a few younger members will step up and take on a role.

“We really are looking for some new blood, some new people, some new ideas, somebody that’s willing to give us some hours,” says Maggie Christians, branch president.

According to Maggie, many of the current members of the branch’s executive committee have been a part of the Legion for a long time now. With that being said, she claims that it has become difficult to come up with fresh ideas, and hopes newer faces can help mitigate the problem.

There are currently eight Legion members in an executive position, leaving four vacancies to fill. Members interested in joining the executive committee are expected to have been members in good standing for at least a year.

Positions such as president and vice-president are roles reserved for those who, on top of being a Legion member, have a year’s experience on the committee.

Legion members can be nominated for any of the positions, whether vacant or not, provided they are in attendance at the AGM and meet the prerequisites.

While the meeting will focus largely on electing new members of the branch’s executive committee, there will also be briefings regarding where Legion funds were allocated in the last year, and what can be expected in the year to come.

Maggie encourages any member of the local Legion to come out, vote and listen in on the meeting, regardless of whether you have intentions of running for a position.

Those who are currently not affiliated with the branch who wish to become members can head over to www.pinchercreeklegion.com/home to join for a $50 annual fee. New members will not be able to vote in the upcoming election, but are welcome to attend the meeting.

 

 

Alberta | AB, Community Organizations, Maggie Christians – Pincher Creek

Fred White solemnly salutes. He is dressed in Legion uniform with white gloves and a dark red sash, with medals on his chest and a poppy on his lapel.

Fred White: Quietly working behind the scenes

Written on . Posted in Alberta.

Fred White has been long associated with Pincher Creek’s Royal Canadian Legion and gladly works behind the scenes to keep its rich history alive.

“My parents were both Legion members. When I turned 18, I joined,” Fred explains. 

Growing up, he learned military tradition, holding a number of roles in the community’s cadets program, including commanding officer, following in the footsteps of his older brother.

“I’ve held different positions on the Legion executive,” he says. “I’m now the sergeant-of-arms. Basically, I’m the keeper of the visual paraphernalia and co-ordinator of ceremonies.”

One such ceremony is this Saturday’s Remembrance Day service at Pincher Creek Community Hall, just one of many events he takes pride in being involved with.

Although he won’t admit it, Fred has been instrumental in keeping the organization’s community presence alive, by helping organize not only the Nov. 11 remembrance but the area’s Christmas hamper program too.

 

 

“Fred is a very valuable part of the Legion and has been for many years,” current president Maggie Christians tells Shootin’ the Breeze. “I’ve known him for a long time, going back to when we were kids.”

Besides Remembrance Day, the Pincher Creek-raised volunteer can also be seen around the community leading the Legion’s colour party at events like the rodeo weekend parade.

One of the more recent projects Fred has involved himself in is the Legion’s medical cabinet program. 

“The Red Cross in Lethbridge loans out wheelchairs, crutches, walkers, things like that, but for people in Pincher Creek, it’s sometimes tough to get there,” he says.

Seeing a need, Fred and the Legion stepped up, establishing a similar setup locally. While it started with just a few small items, it’s now grown to include motorized scooters.

It might seem, on the surface, like a small gesture, but it’s in character with Fred, quietly making a difference in people’s lives. 

Asked if he has any plans to slow down, maybe turn the torch over to someone else, he jokes, “I think I still have a couple of good years in me.”

Thank you, Fred, for all you do!

 

Fred White is the current sergeant-at-arms for the Pincher Creek branch of the Royal Canadian Legion. He’s been a member since he was 18 and has helped to keep the organization vibrant in a changing landscape. | Photo by Brenda Shenton

 

 

Alberta | AB, Community Organizations, Fred White, Remembrance Day, Royal Canadian Legion, Special Days/Holidays

Legion’s poppy campaign supports local veterans

Written on . Posted in Community Life.

Each year, from the last Friday of October until Nov. 11, people across the country wear a poppy in honour of our nation’s veterans. The poppy serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made to protect the freedoms we enjoy today, ensuring we never forget.

To coincide with the lead-up to Remembrance Day, Legions nationwide conduct local poppy campaigns, a program carried out annually to raise money in support of veterans.

Campaign funds are held in trust at the branch level to support veterans and their families within the community. This support could come in many forms, including food, clothing, shelter, medical assistance and more.

“Any money raised from the poppy campaign goes towards supporting our local veterans, anything from hospital stay expenses, to medical equipment being put in their home, basically anything that they would require,” says Angie Moen, who chairs Pincher Creek’s poppy campaign.

According to Dick Burnham, Pincher Creek’s branch service officer, in the past year, the local Legion has assisted veterans with the installation of medical equipment, medical research programs for veterans and Veterans of the Caribbean in need.

Residents have certainly taken notice of the wonderful services provided by the Legion to local veterans. Pincher Creek businesses have traditional poppy boxes in their establishments, Legion volunteers set up poppy tables for donations and citizens have made individual contributions. It’s evident that this program is one that could not work without community support.

 

 

“It’s very important to get this kind of support from the community because the funds are directly used in cases of need for veterans of the Canadian Armed Forces and the RCMP,” says Dick.

“The support has been amazing,” says Angie. “This is my first year doing this and I’m very proud of this community and the support they’ve provided.”

If you wish to donate to the Pincher Creek Legion’s poppy fund, you can send an e-Transfer to Poppy Fund or mail a cheque to Pincher Creek Legion Branch 43, PO Box 131, Pincher Creek, AB, T0K 1W0.

As a registered charity, the fund can issue tax-deductible receipts, upon request, for donations of $25 or more.

“The poppy fund comes to the nation’s attention in November — but you can donate, anytime, locally at your Legion branch to support veterans and remembrance in your community,” says Dick.

Veterans in need of financial assistance are encouraged to contact their local Legion today. You do not need to be a member to seek help. For veterans in Pincher Creek, call the branch at 403-627-4024.

 

Information for the Royal Canadian Legion Poppy Fund

 

Alberta | AB, Dick Burnham, Poppy Campaign, Poppy Fund, Remembrance Day, Special Days/Holidays, Veterans