"We are very grateful to the Pelly Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 65 for this very generous donation of $1,101 toward establishing our local STARS air ambulance program. The Pelly Legion has donated to a number of our projects in the past and we are very pleased that the Legion continues to support our work," said Ross Fisher, Executive Director of The Health Foundation.
"This STARS program is something that the people of our area and really all of rural Saskatchewan need, said Cora Stobee, Secretary of the Pelly Legion. "We are three hours from Regina if you are driving, and certainly a helicopter could make a huge difference for anyone that's really critically injured or ill."
"This will be one of the final things the Pelly Legion does, as we are closing and our members will be joining the Norquay Legion. Our membership has gotten smaller and smaller over the last few years, and it just doesn't make sense for us to try and keep going on our own," continued Mrs. Stobee.
The members present to award the cheque to Mr. Fisher were: Tom Brown, Vi and Lawrence Off, Vern Seversen, Joe Brown and Cora Stobee. Not present but still active members of the Pelly Legion are Steve Kineschuk, Robert Brown, Adrian Makahoniuk and Ed Bandura.
The Pelly Legion was established on October 16, 1926, with 23 Charter members. In the 1920's, 30's and 40's the branch was combined with Norquay; so in some ways the Pelly Legion is returning to its beginnings. On October 11, 1949, Pelly Legion Branch #65 was formed. There were 28 members in attendance at the founding meeting. The Ladies Auxiliary was formed June 12, 1950 with 12 Charter members. The auxiliary remains active to this day.
The Pelly Legion moved into its current hall in 1963; all the work on the hall was completed by Legion members. The walls in the lounge of the Legion Hall have pictures and a brief history of most of the WWI, WWII, Korean War, and peace time members of the Pelly Legion. Comrade Cora Stobee created the wall.
At present the Pelly Legion has 21 members. Due to their age most of the members are not active. The legion is proud that there are still approximately 100 people who attend the Remembrance Day service.
