Local legion hall that burnt down in October currently attempting to recover with the help of the community
The Army Navy Club at 645 Colborne St was burnt because of a fire that took place Oct. 7, 2024. The club is actively trying to recover and rebuild in the same location.
Since the loss of their club, artifacts and their memories, the Army Navy Air Force Club has seen incredible support from the Brantford community.
“We’re very grateful for their support. We’ve received letters, email, social media, so much outreach to see how we’re doing, how can people help,” said Logan Webb, president of the Army Navy Club.
The fire came only a month prior to Remembrance Day, an important date for the club and its members. Webb said that this year was the hardest because the club traditionally hangs a wreath at the cenotaph ceremony for Remembrance Day, but Webb said not having something as simple as that made it very difficult.
“We were invited, of course, to the other veteran halls in town, but I found myself after the main service, I went back to the to the building and I had a moment of silence, just kind of by myself and after that I just kind of had a very quiet afternoon just thinking about our future, just trying to keep things moving along,” Webb said.
Carlee Bond, a club member, started a GoFundMe for the club which has since reached over $2,000 in donations towards the club repairs. Her caption discusses the history and memories that were lost in the fire and the determination to rebuild. “Just as those who have fought for our freedoms never gave up, we at the Army Navy Air Force Club Unit 341 are determined to rebuild—but in this time of deep need, we cannot do it alone. We desperately need your help,” Bond said in her GoFundMe caption.
Local businesses have also shown support for their local veteran’s club, such as Domino’s Pizza, who held a deal day on Nov. 11 to raise money for the club. The chain restaurant sold three topping pizzas for $13 on Remembrance Day to assist the club in recovering from the tragedy. Stephanie Young, the Fundraiser Coordinator for Domino’s Pizza West Brant location spoke about how important it is to help out the local community.
“If you can give back this way and help them get on their feet even a little bit, then I think that’s part of our job as a business in town,” Young said.The Domino’s fundraiser contributed a total of $305 towards the Army Navy Clubs recovery.
This article was originally published in print Volume 24, Issue 4 on Thursday, December 5.
