This year the Legion will celebrate 86 years of dedicated community service.

In 155 communities throughout British Columbia and the Yukon - including Ladner and Tsawwassen - 63,000 Legionnaires and members of the Ladies Auxiliary serve all citizens with quiet dignity and distinction.

The Honourable Ida Chong, Minister, Community, Sport and Cultural Development, recently announced funding for Legion branches throughout the province to host community celebrations highlighting Legion Week June 24 to 30.

Legion Week is officially proclaimed by the governments of British Columbia and the Yukon to acknowledge and pay tribute to the Legion's often unsung community contributions.

In moving forward for the next era of community service, bold, new and innovative programs are being developed under the leadership of the Legion's B.C./ Yukon Command.

"Communities and families want their local Legion Branch to be a place for fun, social activities and to be a hub of volunteerism," said Bob Brady, president, B.C./Yukon Command.

"Many of our branch redevelopments are being structured to provide housing, social spaces, community halls and meeting places for volunteerism and to build on the social fabric of communities.

"We plan to be here into the future and meeting the needs of the communities we serve is how we plan to do that."

Legion Week is a time for the public to learn more about their local Legion Branch.

. The Legion contributes well over $6.9 million every year for a vast array of community health, social, athletic, youth and educational programs, serving all citizens.

. They also raise in excess of $21 million through gaming, which is re-invested in communities throughout the province.

. The Legion's assisted and affordable housing program is among the largest in British Columbia.

. Volunteer hours are as equally impressive, with 600,000 contributed by Legion members every year.

. The Legion partners with the University of British Columbia, University of Victoria and the British Columbia Institute of Technology, to fund and provide comprehensive education, transition and trauma counseling programs for veterans of all ages.

The Legion Veterans Transition Program with UBC assists those suffering with post-traumatic stress disorder.

The Legion Military Skills Conversion Program with BCIT opens the door to educational and entrepreneurial opportunities.

Cockrell House on Vancouver Island offers a two year transitional program for homeless Veterans.

These ground-breaking and life-changing programs are designed all in aid of assisting military personnel to successfully transition from military to civilian life.

"Our communities need these men and women to know that their service to this country is valued and when they return. The Legion welcomes and supports them," Brady said.

"The Legion is always there for Veterans and they are always there for their fellow citizens. The future is bright for the Legion in British Columbia and we welcome those who share in our vision of community service."