The Tsawwassen and Ladner branches of the Royal Canadian Legion help out the community of South Delta in a variety of ways with their volunteer efforts.

Both branches raise money for a wide range of community groups and organizations, including the Delta Hospital Foundation.

The Tsawwassen branch recently gave $4,000 to help the hospital purchase special heart monitors while the Ladner branch reached a milestone with a gift of $10,000 earlier this year.

Since 1993, the Ladner Legion has donated over $100,000 to the hospital for vital equipment for the community.

Last year marked a record for contributing funds to community organizations in need of support for the Tsawwassen branch.

Longtime Ladner Legion volunteer George Koka helps local service clubs play Santa by organizing the sorting and delivery of food to hundreds of lowincome families in Delta as part of Deltassist's annual Christmas hamper program.

The branch also helps out during the holidays at the traditional carol ships and tree lighting celebration in Ladner by supplying hot chocolate to those in attendance.

The Tsawwassen Legion has found its scooter loan program, launched in 2010, to be very successful. The program involves electric scooters that are donated from local seniors. The donated units are serviced and refurbished as necessary so they are reliable and in good operating order.

The branch then offers operating instructions to local residents that need the equipment and the scooters on a no cost "loan" basis.

The Tsawwassen branch has also found that its recent work on developing a home for live entertainment in South Delta has resulted in a whole new group on music-oriented volunteers that help keep the Legion viable. It has hosted fundraiser shows at "The Stage" as well as regular Thursday night Jams.

Both branches have ladies auxiliaries that also help out.

With over 340,000 members nationally, the Royal Canadian Legion is one of Canada's largest community based service organizations.

dwillis@delta-optimist.com