The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 296 is proud to support a wide range of community initiatives in Harriston, Clifford, and the surrounding area. Through fundraising efforts and the Poppy Fund, the branch contributes to programs that support Veterans, youth, health care, and community organizations.
Donation amounts listed reflect contributions made in 2025.
Veteran Support
Supporting Veterans remains the core mission of the Legion. In 2025, Branch 296 contributed to the following Veteran-focused initiatives:
- Buddy Check Coffee Program – $600
- Supporting peer connection and mental wellness
- Leave the Streets Behind – $1500
- Supporting unhoused veterans
- Veteran gifts
- Wreaths and poppies for remembrance day ceremonies
Youth Support
Branch 296 is committed to supporting youth programs, education, and remembrance activities:
- Poppy Fund Bursaries – $2000
- Four $500 bursaries were awarded to the children and grandchildren of veterans pursuing post-secondary education
- Interested applicants are encouraged to visit our bursary page
- Youth Remembrance Day contests( posters, poems and essays) – $500
- 1943 Norwell Army Cadets – $500
- Minto-Clifford Public School – $6000
- Breakfast program, field trips, graduation ceremony, and literacy resources
- Harriston Figure Skating Club – $3000
- Saugeen Student Start-Up program – $900
- Available to students in the municipality of Minto
- Norwell District Secondary School Yearbook Fundraiser – $150
- Zone Youth Education – $200
Health Care Support
The Legion also supports local and regional health care initiatives that benefit the wider community:
- Parkwood Institute, St. Joseph’s Hospital (London) – $10,000
- Equivalent to the cost of one hospital bed
- Hospice Wellington – $500
- Palmerston District Hospital Foundation Golf MRI Tournament – $150
- Sponsorship of one hole
Other Community Support
- Food banks
- Harriston Food Bank – $1500
- Clifford Food Bank – $1000
- Harriston Kinsmen Club – $4000
- In support of their multi-use sports pad project at the Harriston Arena
- Halloween Haunt – $300
- Harriston-Minto Agricultural Society – $300
- Minto Arts Silent Auction – $150
- Donation of Canadian flags to local families
- In partnership with the Ladies’ Auxiliary
- Canadian Wildfire Fund (Canadian Red Cross) – $1000
Turning Pop Tabs into Wheelchairs: A Local Story of Service and Community Spirit
One of the most inspiring community initiatives connected with Branch 296 is the Tabs for Wheelchairs effort, a long-standing project where aluminium pop can tabs are collected, recycled, and the proceeds used to purchase wheelchairs, walkers, and other assistive devices for people in need.
Donations to the MRI campaign
In previous years, the Harriston Legion donated a total of $40,000 to the Palmerston Hospital MRI campaign, $20,000 each in 2023 and 2024
Our Commitment
These contributions reflect the Legion’s ongoing commitment to remembrance, service, and community support. None of this would be possible without the generosity of our members, volunteers, and the community who support our fundraising efforts throughout the year.
In past years, the Harriston Legion has been a supporter of the following causes and initiatives:
- Harriston Minto Retirees Activity Group
- Harriston Minto Skating
- Frank Kelly Memorial Golf Tournament
- Palmerston & District Hospital
- Harriston Food Bank
- Clifford Food Bank
- Royal Canadian Legion Branch 296 Poppy Fund
- Minto Arts Council
- Alzheimer Society of Waterloo Wellington
- Royal Canadian Legion Zone Public Speaking
- Bowl for Kids
- Minto Clifford Public School
- Royal Canadian Legion District Track and Field
- Harriston Minto Agricultural Society
- Harriston Kinsmen
- Foot Clinic
- Euchre, Pepper
- Teen Dances
- Canadian Diabetes Society
- Seniors Centre for Excellence (Drayton)
- Veterans Street Banners
- Minto Recreation
