The Estevan Legion is getting out some of their yearly donations, helping to support initiatives around the Estevan area with the money they've raised. They give out a number of donations, normally ranging in the thousands of dollars, to local community organizations that support people in Estevan.
Frosty Forrest, the president of the Legion, talked about some of the recent donations they've made.
"We donated $4,000 to S.M.I.L.E. Services, which, of course, is an important part of our community. We're going to be going to the Aspen Regional Nursing Home, and we're going to make a $5,000 donation there. We will be going to the hospital. We're going to make a $2,500 donation to the MRI project, a $5,000 donation to the Addiction Center, and a $5,000 donation to the Long-Term Care."
Besides the day's donations, other expenditures include money going to STARS Air Ambulance, the United Way Estevan, and more.
One big point for the Estevan Legion is helping out veterans in Estevan, which Forrest describes as their main mission.
"Out of our policy fund, we support the veterans through the Paws for Vets Program and Leave the Streets Behind, which helps get veterans off the street and helps them get a new start. We should not have veterans living on the street in this country."
"The veterans part of it, I mean, that's our mandate to look out for veterans and their families. And we certainly try to maintain that."
"We do do other donations. Sometimes an individual veteran has a problem or needs some assistance," said Forrest, "You know, we're always here to help. And the other things, you know, you look at the nursing home and Creighton Lodge, the hospital, those are all areas where veterans will benefit from that, as well as the rest of the population."
Supporting the youth is also important for the Estevan Legion, including bursaries going to high school students before they head to post-secondary studies and donations to local sports groups.
Every year that they do donate, Forrest says that's thanks to the community stepping up with the Legion's fundraising efforts.
"Some years, we donate a little more, some years we donate a little less. It depends on what we have as well. Our truck raffle, very important; that's where the majority of the money is going to come from for our donations. We do that every year, and we donate funds out of that to our local charities and seniors programs, all that stuff."
Forrest says they appreciate all the support they receive from the local community.
Their truck raffle for 2026 will have tickets available all summer long, with more info on that and other fundraisers available on the Estevan Legion's website.