This year’s convention of the Royal Canadian Legion’s BC and Yukon Command (BCYC) marked a major milestone for a Powell River resident.
Karen Crashley, president of the Ladies’ Auxiliary of the Legion’s Branch 164, Powell River, became the president of the Ladies’ Auxiliary to BCYC.
“It felt very, very good,” Crashley said. “I’m very proud of this organization and I have some awesome people to work with.”
As well as assuming the president’s position, Crashley was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. The Canadian government created the medal to mark Queen Elizabeth’s 60 years of service.
One of the biggest projects Crashley will be involved in this year is the 2013-2014 Youth Legion National Track and Field Championships, which the BCYC Ladies’ Auxiliary is hosting in August in Langley. “This is the first time that a Ladies’ Auxiliary has ever been hosting the event,” she said.
The 10-day event is held annually and attracts 1,000 youth from across Canada. The Royal Canadian Legion has been sponsoring the event for over 70 years. It has become the entry level for scouting potential athletes for Canada’s track and field teams.
Crashley joined the Ladies’ Auxiliary in Powell River in 1990. She became the secretary in 1992, a position she held for 14 years, then became president in 2006, a position she still holds. She was elected as second vice-president of the Ladies’ Auxiliary to BCYC in 2009. She held that position for two years, followed by two years as first vice-president. She will be president for two years as well.
There are 84 Ladies’ Auxiliaries and 11 zones within the Ladies’ Auxiliary to BCYC. They have a total of 3,136 members, with 2,586 regular members and 550 life members.
The convention, a joint Branch and Ladies’ Auxiliary event, was held in Whistler and included 97 voting delegates and 83 fraternal delegates.
“We now have a gentleman who has been a Ladies’ Auxiliary member for several years,” said Crashley. “He was elected treasurer for Ladies’ Auxiliary to BCYC.”
Like all the branches and Ladies’ Auxiliaries across Canada, BCYC’s membership is declining, said Crashley. “Most people think that you have to have a military background to join the Legion, but that is not the case,” she said. “If you are interested at all in the work the Legion does, you can apply to join this great organization. You do not have to wear a uniform when you become a member, unless, of course, you want to run for office.”
Powell River Ladies’ Auxiliary has 21 members, Crashley pointed out. “We would like to have some ladies, or gentlemen, join our organization to help raise money for our Branch and assist veterans, their widows or widowers and their dependents.”
As well, the Legion gives close to $40,000 a year to the community, Crashley said. “That takes a lot of work for just a few people.”
BCYC also has worked hard over the past several years to support Canada’s troops. One of the big programs it funds is the Veterans Transition Program, which provides Canadian military and veterans with assistance in personal and career transitions.
