Pender Island Royal Canadian Legion Branch 239

It is with great sadness that Royal Canadian Legion Branch 239 announces the passing of our Past President, Jean Deschenes.

Jean was a dedicated Legion member and active volunteer for many years. A past recipient of our Legionnaire of the Year award, she also generously contributed her time and talents to many community organizations on Pender Island.

Jean’s commitment to the Legion and our community will be deeply missed. We extend our heartfelt condolences to her family and friends.

FRIDAY NIGHT DINNERS

September Burger Nights at the Pender Island Legion!

Join us at the Pender Island Legion for Friday Burger Nights this September! Come out on September 11 with live music by Second Chance (Pete Emery and Frank Scanlan) and September 25th with music by Maya Cook! Maya Cook weaves folk, blues, and jazz into a world of rich melodies and stories. A musician, circus artist, and director, Maya is based in the Gulf Islands, BC and hails from Mennonite-Anglo-Celtic ancestry. Creating art, both circus and music, has been a profound way of exploring how all of her pieces are woven together, within herself and in her relationships with the land and people around her.
Doors open at 4:00 p.m., with deluxe BBQ burgers served from 5:00–7:00 p.m. Choose beef, chicken, salmon or veggie, add your favourite toppings, and enjoy your burger with potato salad, chips or coleslaw. Hot dogs are also available. Cost is $20 dine-in or $17 take-out, with ice cream topped with caramel or chocolate sauce available for $3. Patio seating will be available weather permitting, with indoor seating if needed. No reservations—first come, first served!

FRIDAY NIGHT DINNER COOKS WANTED – SHARE YOUR SIGNATURE DISH

Do you have a favorite family recipe you’d love to cook and share with 50 of your closest friends?

The Pender Island Royal Canadian Legion Branch 239 is looking for volunteer cooks to bring their unique style and flavours to our popular Friday Night Dinners. Whether it’s a cherished family classic or a creative new dish, this is your chance to showcase your cooking and be part of a great community tradition.

You won’t be doing it alone. Our friendly and capable team of volunteers will be there to support you every step of the way, from prep to service, making it a fun and rewarding experience.

If you enjoy cooking, community, and a lively Friday evening, we would love to hear from you.

To get involved, please contact us at bookings239.rcl@gmail.com.

Fun & Games at the Legion!

Bingo Restarts Saturday October 10th

• Time: 12:45 PM – 3:30 PM (Doors open at 12:30 PM)
• Cost: $7 (includes 3 chances for each of the 11 regular games)
• Jackpot Games: $2 each

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Arts, Crafts & Scrapbooking 2026

• Date:  Sunday, September 20th
• Time: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Cost: $10 (per day)

Join us for a creative day full of arts, crafts, and scrapbooking! Whether you’re a knitter, quilter, or scrapbooker, there’s something for everyone. Please bring your own lunch and refreshments. For more details or to register, contact Melody Pender at bookings239.rcl@gmail.com.

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Special Events and General Meetings

General Meeting – Saturday, September 19th

Time: 2:00 PM
Come stay informed about what is happening at the Legion and learn about new volunteer opportunities. Your input and involvement make a difference. 

Celebration of Life for Jim Swanson

Family and friends are warmly invited to celebrate the life of Jim Swanson on Saturday, September 26, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. at the Pender Island Legion.

Jim was a longtime and dedicated member of the Legion, serving on the Executive and giving generously of his time to Legion activities, particularly Meat Draws and Bingo.

Please join us to share memories, stories and celebrate Jim’s life and his many contributions to our Legion community.

The regular Saturday Meat Draw will follow the Celebration of Life — a fitting way to spend a little more time together in Jim’s memory.

Meat Draw – Saturdays @ 4:00 PM

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Euchre Fun at the Legion
Date: Thursdays
Time: 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Join us for a fun, social afternoon of Euchre. All levels are welcome—no experience necessary!

PLEASE RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP, OR SIGN UP TO BE A NEW MEMBER

The Royal Canadian Legion is offering FREE memberships for 2026 to all NEW members in celebration of its 100th anniversary. Anyone 18 years or older, including non-Veterans, is invited to join at no cost from January through December 2026. This special initiative is designed to welcome new energy into Legion branches across Canada while supporting the Legion’s mission as it enters its next century. New members will gain access to branch activities, volunteer opportunities, and exclusive 100th-anniversary events. Applications are available online at legion.ca/join-us, in person at local branches, or by calling 1-855-330-3344. The free membership applies to new members only and covers the full 2026 calendar year.

SUPPORT YOUR LEGION, ENJOY LEGION ACTIVITIES, AND RECEIVE MEMBER EXCLUSIVE BENEFITS WITH MEMBERPERKS (www.legion.ca/memberperks)

Membership helps your Legion to support local veterans and their families, promote Remembrance, and support our community.

2026 RENEWAL MEMBERSHIP DUES ARE $60

PAYMENT OPTIONS:

Online at Legion Online Membership

Or download the application and bring it with your payment to the Legion when we’re open.

e-transfer to membership239.rcl@gmail.com

Cash, card or cheque at the Legion when open on Friday or Saturday

Cheque payable to RCL 239 – drop off in folder at Community Box, or mail to 1344 MacKinnon Road, Pender Island, BC, V0N 2M1

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING YOUR LEGION!

Sept 19 & 20
October 17 & 18
November 21 & 22

We are open to all types of arts, crafts and scrapbooking. Our group ranges from knitters and quilters to scrapbooking. Come check us out! $10 each day and bring your own lunch and refreshments. Contact Melody Pender, bookings239.rcl@gmail.com

On Tuesday, November 10th at 1:00pm, the community will gather at the Pender Island Cemetery for a moving tribute of remembrance. Each year, Pender Island school children arrive by bus to quietly and respectfully place candles on the more than 125 crosses that honour our veterans—those who stood for Canada in times of war and peace.

Around 5:00pm, as daylight begins to fade and dusk settles in, the candles on each cross will be lit, casting a gentle glow across the cemetery in silent gratitude. The public is warmly invited to visit, pause, and reflect during this peaceful moment of remembrance. In the distance, the haunting notes of a lone piper will drift through the evening air, reminding us of the courage, sacrifice, and service of those who came before us.

Please Note: For those who are unable to attend, we will be livestreaming this event on our Pender Island Legion FaceBook page.