Royal Canadian Legion Branch 261 in Forest Grove has a new president and executive with a new vision to grow the organization.
Jerry de Vries is the new president of the Legion. He joins John Drescher, who has been appointed as vice president, as well as Jeanette Wilson as the secretary, Corey Robertson as the treasurer along with Jim Tyndale, Jim Prince and Margaret Temperton, who serve as directors at large.
de Vries says he took on the role of president because he wants to see the Legion grow and get more attention from the community.
"First and foremost, our biggest objective is to create more community awareness as to what the Legion is and does and how it actually supports the community," de Vries explained.
Drescher, who is also taking on the roles of the Legion's public relations and media, said that they will be increasing their veterans and senior services.
"More community events as well, as well as weekly activities at the Legion itself," Drescher said, adding that billiards are played on Friday nights as of April 4, that darts and crib are played on Tuesdays and Wednesdays while on Saturdays, there is a meat and 50/50 draw alongside darts.
The Legion plans on holding an Easter egg hunt on April 21 and Canada Day celebrations on Ruth Lake, which they had inherited from the Forest Grove Lion's Club, which had dissolved.
"A few times per year, we put on events for the children of the community, and in so doing, we hope that we can encourage the parents of these kids, that they might see that, hey, this is how we're active in the Legion," de Vries said.
In addition, de Vries said that in this coming year, he will be more active in promoting the Forest Grove Legion.
"Throughout this coming year, one of my jobs as president as well is to be out in the community, at events and schools. Going to schools and talking to the schools about the Legion and what the Legion does and what it stands for," de Vries said.
Drescher also added that the Legion will be bringing back a proper cook.
"We're growing the kitchen up to produce quality meals and quality fare for when people come by. We got our bar stuff on and the bars open when the Legion is open," Drescher noted.
Both Drescher and de Vries are excited to take on their new roles within the Forest Grove Legion.
"I'm looking forward to it. I'm excited, like in any organization you get different people in with different ideas and reading through all the resource material - the manuals, bylaws, guidelines and so on and so forth," said de Vries.
de Vries says that those who wish to apply can do so through legion.ca - or you can stop at the branch in Forest Grove Legion from Wednesday to Saturday, 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., or contact Michelle Acton, the membership chair at 250-397-0237.
