COCHRANE— A local Royal Canadian Legion Branch 15 member is putting his boots to the ground to help the organization raise funds during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bill Lockwood has been leading the pack with ticket sales in support of the annual 2020 Cash Raffle at the Legion. To date, he has sold more than 1,000 raffle tickets.
“COVID is hitting the Legion pretty hard,” Lockwood said. “We are still open but we have a lot of expenses. This helps the Legion a lot when people support it.”
Due to the public health measures in place the Legion has been unable to host events that would typically help the organization raise funds, he said, making the raffle all the more important.
The fundraiser is critical for the Legion, and Lockwood said he is hoping to see lots of tickets sold because it will help the Legion weather the COVID-19 storm.
Each raffle book has 10 tickets and it is $10 per ticket, Lockwood said. He added those interested in purchasing a ticket should keep an eye out for him in Town.
His original goal was to sell 100 books, but, he soon surpassed that goal.
“Now I’m going to have to increase it a little bit," Lockwood said with a grin. “I did pick up some more tickets and I’m going to get back out and sell them."
The big draw for $5,000 takes place on Oct. 9, Lockwood said, adding he hopes as many people as possible purchase tickets to help the Legion raise funds during the COVID-19 pandemic.
To date, they have had an early bird draw for $1,000, a draw for $1,000 and a draw for $1,500.
Lockwood has been a member of the Legion for about four years, he said, explaining he was motivated to join the organization because of the good work they do in the community.
“It’s a place to meet a lot of good people and I have a lot of respect for the people in the military that served the country and gave their lives for the country,” Lockwood said.
Legion treasurer Maureen Vink said she appreciates the support Cochrane residents have provided as the community struggles to get through the COVID-19 pandemic.
The money raised will help the Legion by injecting cash into its building fund to pay for utilities, property taxes, insurance and other essentials.
The raffle will be critical for the Legion this year because it will raise about $11,000 for the building fund. Vink added they are hoping to sell out all of the tickets in time for the draw on Oct. 9.
“At this point, we desperately need that,” Vink said. “Legions are struggling all across Canada and we are struggling as well. This will really, really help.”
Vink said it has been impressive to see the number of tickets sold by Lockwood, adding his hard work is helping the Legion out during a challenging time.
“He said ‘he’s not done’ he’s going to sell some more,” Vink said. “It’s amazing he’s done just a fabulous job.”
The Legion is currently open, she said, but big events have been cancelled that would typically help the organization raise funds. They are also limited to having 66 people in the branch at a time.
“It’s devastating because we just can’t do what we normally do,” Vink said. “We’re bound and determined to make it through with the support of the community.”
People can drop by the Legion from Tuesday to Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. and Saturdays 1 to 6 p.m.
“We’ll be there for the community,” she said. “If there’s anyone that needs our assistance with anything, any veterans, anyone else, please let us know. We have different things we can do to help.”
