Projects & Initiatives
In September 2024, we had the profound honour of unveiling our inaugural mural—a stunning tribute to the dedication and sacrifices of those who serve.
A huge thank you is owed to Frank Gibbs of ACME Mind Company for your hard work designing the mural along with the Executives. Another huge thank you to the town of Bradford-West Gwillimbury for the grant to help cover costs of the mural.
Honour Our Veterans Banner Program
This program allows any member of our community to honour a veteran in their family—past or present. In partnership with the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury, banners featuring veterans and active service members are displayed on downtown lamp posts in the weeks leading up to and after Remembrance Day. This initiative fosters community engagement in recognizing and remembering our armed forces members for generations to come.
The cost to sponsor a banner is $150. Applications can be picked up at the Bradford Legion and must be submitted with:
A completed form
Cash or cheque (payable to Royal Canadian Legion Branch 521)
A high-resolution 5” x 7” portrait-style photo of the service member in uniform
Printed photos will be returned. Digital photos (300 dpi or higher in .jpg or similar format) can be emailed to bradford521@rogers.com. New submissions are accepted annually to ensure this meaningful project continues to grow.
For more information, call the branch at 905-775-5025. We look forward to your participation!
The Poppy Campaign
Every year, from the last Friday of October to November 11, tens of millions of Canadians wear a Poppy as a powerful symbol of remembrance. This simple yet profound gesture honours Canada’s Veterans, paying tribute to those who sacrificed for the freedoms we enjoy today.
The Poppy Campaign is not just about wearing a poppy—it’s about coming together as a community to support Veterans and youth. Funds raised through the Poppy Fund go directly toward providing essential assistance to Veterans and their families, ensuring they receive the care and support they deserve.
How You Can Help
To make this campaign truly impactful, we rely on volunteers to assist with organization, preparation, and poppy distribution during Poppy Season. Even dedicating just one or two hours of your time can make a significant difference.
By volunteering at a participating store in Bradford with a poppy tray, you help give others the opportunity to donate—a simple act that goes a long way in supporting those who have served.
The Reward of Giving Back
Volunteering is more than just an act of service—it’s a way to connect with your community, honour a cherished tradition, and experience a deep sense of fulfillment. The more we give, the more we foster a spirit of kindness and gratitude.
Join us in this meaningful cause. Sign up to volunteer at your local Legion today!
📞 Call us at 905-775-5025 or bradfordpoppy1@gmail.com to get involved and help ensure that Canadians ‘Never Forget.’
Military Service Recognition Book
As the “Keepers of Remembrance”, Ontario Command publishes an annual Military Service Recognition Book to identify and recognize many of our Veterans in Ontario, who have either served or are still serving in our Canadian Armed Forces, the Commonwealth or Allied Forces.
Everyone– including Veterans, relatives or friends alike– is welcome to share and submit a story, a photo, perhaps even a copy of an artifact of a Veteran. All are invited to drop off or send your stories and content, along with the completion of the form below, printed or updated as a pdf document, to your Legion Branch as soon as possible.
Click here to download the submission form
The deadline for book completion is May 15th each year. While we accept submissions throughout the year, please note that the cutoff may come earlier if we receive enough submissions to fill the Military Service Recognition Book.
For more information on the Keepers of Remembrance program, and to submit a story and photo, please visit your local Legion Branch.
We look forward to sharing, celebrating, and honoring the stories of your friends and loved ones.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has already submitted.
National Youth Remembrance Contests
Attention all Young Artists, Poets, and Essay Writers!
Fostering Remembrance is a part of everything we do. Through The Royal Canadian Legion’s longstanding annual Poster and Literary Contests, Canadian school children honour Canada’s Veterans through creative art and writing, and help perpetuate Remembrance.
Prizes
The winning entries for each category at the national level are displayed at the Canadian War Museum from July 1 to May 1 of the following year.
For the Poster Contest, the second place winners, and those receiving an honourable mention, are displayed in the foyer of the House of Commons during the Remembrance period in November. For the senior winners in the four contests (two posters, one essay and one poetry), the Legion sponsors a trip to Ottawa to attend the National Remembrance Day Service. There, the winners place a wreath on behalf of the youth of Canada as well as have an opportunity to meet and visit with the Governor General. Prizes also to be won at your local Legion Branch, Zone, District and Provincial levels.
To participate, youths and schools should contact the Bradford Legion Youth and Education Chair in September for information. Contact us for further details and coordination at 905-775-5025 or Email bradford521@rogers.com
Submissions accepted in person at your local Legion between September and November each year.
Check out these 2017 poster winners:
The Royal Canadian Legion Youth Track & Field Program
Nearly 1,000 young Canadian athletes will compete for medals in Canada’s only track and field championships for the under-16 and under-18 categories. Through our commitment to supporting youth leadership and sports, the Legion is helping strengthen the next generation of leaders.
For over 40 years, this program has provided athletes aged 18 and under with the opportunity to compete at Zone, District, Provincial, and even National Track & Field events.
Hundreds of young athletes have participated at various levels, with an impressive 32 athletes representing Canada at the 2016 Rio Olympics—and many more competing in past Olympics and international events.
At the National Meet, athletes spend a week training with top coaches, learning from teammates, building teamwork skills, and forming lifelong friendships.
No Legion or Track & Field organization membership is required to participate. Best of all, events are offered at little to no cost, with the Legion covering travel and accommodations for provincial and national competitors.
Don’t miss this incredible opportunity! Register today at your local Legion.
For more information, email rclonttf@gmail.com.
Find more support with the Legion
Bursaries and scholarships: The Royal Canadian Legion is committed to supporting Veterans and their families and offers financial assistance for post-secondary education to those in need. More information here.
Support for Veterans: Founded by Veterans and for Veterans, The Royal Canadian Legion is devoted to supporting all those who served our country and put their lives on the line for our freedoms and way of life. More here.