Donald Teuma-Castelletti
QUYON Dec. 2, 2018
Royal Canadian Legion – Branch 231 held their first community turkey dinner on Sunday afternoon, welcoming about 100 guests to their hall thanks to the efforts of some community-minded volunteers.
Claire Mulligan and her family approached the Quyon Legion looking to give back, and as the community was without a harvest supper this year, it was agreed to prepare and serve the meal in its place.
Preparing a 36 lb. bird and all the trimmings, the Legion and volunteers were looking forward to the great turnout for their first Christmastime meal.
But the meal wasn’t the only new initiative for Branch 231 this year, as the group began another new fundraiser, with this one benefitting Quyon children.

After reaching out to St. Mary’s School and Onslow Elementary School, Legion member Darlene Morris-Fraser said, the group sought to provide less fortunate families in the area with a chance to give their children a little something extra under the tree this year. In this regard, they began fundraising just over two weeks ago, looking to provide 26 children from the area with gifts to receive for Christmas.
After receiving $500 from the Quyon Tractor & Truck Pull committee, and many small bill donations from families, businesses and groups in the area, Branch 231 had soon raised $1,700. Due to this quick fundraising, and the community’s enormous response, Morris-Fraser said they were referring to all who donated as the “Angels of Quyon.”
Now, filling a corner of the hall, 26 gifts will be delivered between the two schools to be picked up by the parents. All gifts are kept anonymous, but ages and genders were provided by the school so as to find appropriate gifts.
With the success of this year’s fundraising, the Quyon Legion looks forward to starting this as a new tradition in the years to come.
Up next for the Legion will be their Christmas Bingo on Dec. 16, before they host a New Year’s Eve party on Dec. 31.