The following is a brief history of the Ladies Auxiliary compiled from their 75th Anniversary.
During
the First World War and in the years following the Armistice, groups of devoted women worked for the interests of the men overseas and
endeavored to assist their families at home. As the boys returned, the tasks undertaken by them increased, due to the mounting
unemployment situation, the low rates of pensions and the limited amount of relief available. When local units of returned men
were formed, these groups of women more or less automatically became Auxiliaries to these organizations.
The St. James Branch #4 Ladies
Auxiliary received their Charter on May 25th, 1927. The names of the Charter Members appear on a bronze plaque which
hangs in the Branch boardroom.
The Auxiliary held its meetings in schools, office building, and member’s homes. One of our
members remembers being initiated in 1944 in the old bank building which was the Clubrooms.
The Ways and Means Committee held Whist
Drives, doughnut sales (the cost of a doughnut was 5 cents), jewelry and Tupperware parties in their homes. The admission fee was
an article for the sewing table or a cup and saucer to be used for teas. Gifts that were raffled were received also from the
St. James merchants. Tours were arranged to visit the Christie Biscuit plant and various other places, including a brewery and a
funeral home. The charge was approximately 25 cents for a ticket and it was surprising the amount of money raised.
One year, one of the members who had received a bar set as a gift donated the set for a raffle. Enough money was received to put
lights up at Legion Park on Silver Avenue. The Auxiliary helped in getting the drapes and televisions for the Legion Lodge on Ness
Avenue. They also looked after birthday parties for them once a month, donating lunch and birthday cakes. In 1954, drapes
were purchased for the upstairs Clubrooms and a kitchen was also installed.
The ladies ran the Ham Bingos and the proceeds went into
the General Funds. While attending the Bingo some Easter Baskets were donated by the members and they were filled with goodies
for the Children’s Hospital. Since 1989, the baskets have been filled with home made chocolates for the Children’s Hospital.
In the late 40’s and 50’s, after the war, the Ladies acted as receptionists when the shoppers donated gifts at the giant Christmas
tree at Eaton’s. Afterwards, the gifts were delivered to the Deer Lodge Veterans on Christmas morning.
During the early
years a bus would be hired and visits would be made to one of the out-of-town Auxiliaries and then that Auxiliary would come and visit our
Auxiliary. It was a great way of learning about our own District and of hearing about different projects to raise money.
In the past we held garage sales, and rented tables at the local Community Craft Fair. We managed the cloakroom at the request of
the Branch on Dance Night.
Now, our money making projects are the usual lunches, teas as well as our main money raiser, our Bake Table
at the Branch meat draws.
The members made visits to the Veterans at the Academy Road Home (some of the boys were known as Snowbirds).
They are still carrying out these visits but of course, they are now made at Deer Lodge Centre and other institutions.
We are proud to have adopted Veterans. In addition to the regular visitations, the members remember them on special occasions
such as Easter, Christmas and their birthdays. In the early sixties, the Auxiliary started to award one $50.00 Scholarship to a
St. James Collegiate student. Three bursaries are now given – two to St. James Collegiate and one to Sturgeon Creek Regional
Secondary School totaling $800.00.
When the Royal Canadian Legion was participating in the Shrine Circus, the Ladies took their shifts
in selling programs and ushering. The members assisted with the Red River Relays during the Indoor Track Meet. We
support the Manitoba Northwestern Ontario L.A. University Scholarships, Royal Canadian Legion Sports Foundation Camp and also their Annual
Tea. Donations are made to Caddy Lake Camp, Joint Hospital, Winnipeg Metropolitan Committee, Veterans’ Summer Outings, Children’s
Hospital Research Foundation, Manitoba Lung Association, Children’s Miracle Telethon, Canadian Cancer Society, National Institute for the
Blind and the Christmas Cheer Board.
We assisted our Branch with the Blood Donor Clinic, Poppy Day, and Robbie Burns Day and on any
other special occasions. We have Ladies who take part in the November 11th parade and Colour Party at the Cenotaph, and other
Ladies prepare and serve the hot dogs and hot chocolate donated by the Auxiliary to all the cubs, scouts, cadets, brownies and guides in
attendance with their parents. We have been very active with the Branch when the joint Conventions were held in Winnipeg.
It was an honor to act as hosts to the visiting Auxiliaries.
Over the years we have honoured 15 members with Life Memberships
and 16 ladies have received Certificates of Merit, 2 Meritorious Service Awards, 61 Membership Badges and 6 Ladies Auxiliary Broaches have
been awarded.
In May 1987 we celebrated our 60th Anniversary. A dinner was held in the Branch Clubrooms with special guests
and a happy evening was enjoyed by all.
When the Valour Road Ladies Auxiliary was dissolved, we were pleased and fortunate that many
of the members transferred to St. James Auxiliary.
May 1st, 1988 St. James Ladies Auxiliary Colour Party won the first
place trophy in the Colour Party Marching School Competition. The Colour Party Members were: Sergeant-at-Arms – Nel
Roh, Colour Bearers – Lila Johnson and Vicky Bilecki.
In the past we have “let our hair down” by entertaining the Branch and the Ladies
with skits and party games at different functions.
Our largest expenditure in recent years was the extensive remodeling of the kitchen
in 1994.
The members over the years have worked hard and given freely of their time. May we, with God’s help, continue our
interest in the Veterans, in education, in morality and above all, in the Youth of Canada and in good citizenship in the future of our
nation.
Scholarships presented as far back as 1949 was confirmed by records from Provincial Command.
As far back as November
15th, 1947 (from records) our Ladies Auxiliary had a fall tea with sale of fancy work, home cooking and artificial flowers held
in the St. James Hall, 1845 Portage Avenue. Prior to this back as afar as 1941 the tea’s were called Homecraft House also (from
records). The Ladies Auxiliary in 1941 ordered 20 constitutions which cost a total of $2.00.
Since 2002 to the present,
the Ladies Auxiliary have donated $12,576 to the Branch to help in certain repairs and taxes. Had a joint tea with the Branch in
2005. Also in 2006 the Ladies Auxiliary donated $4,000 toward the building of a patio on the west side of our club.
Donated to St. James School Lunch Program $1,900 and have three adopted Veterans at Deer Lodge ($622).
So, in reality the Ladies
Auxiliary have donated to the Branch $16,516 since 2002 and they deserve our deepest thanks.
The object of the Ladies Auxiliary is
to support and work with our Branch Officers and Executive on many different programs, ranging from work with our DVA representatives and
Veterans Affairs to assisting the Branch with their annual Poppy Campaign, and other social gatherings held at the Branch.
The Ladies
Auxiliary raises their funds by holding Luncheons, Teas, Bake Sales and Raffles. A portion of these funds are donated to the Branch,
given out as student bursaries, used to support local school programs and given to many other charities.
In addition the Ladies
Auxiliary hold two Social Functions a year, one in June and the other in December just prior to Christmas.
Our membership stands at
sixteen Life Members and thirty seven Regular Members.
The Ladies Auxiliary meet at the Branch the first Tuesday of the month at 7:30 PM,
except for the months of July and August.
New members are always welcome.
Contact the Branch Office during working hours for additional information.
