A long-held dream has come true for Lacombe resident Barbara Burnett.
"I've been with the Legion since 1976, and this project has been on my bucket list - I have wanted to send Christmas cards overseas to our service people."
In talking to friends, Burnett knew that the time was right this year to launch the special venture, so with a team of friends and fellow Legion Auxiliary members onboard, they began to gather beautifully-designed Christmas cards to be sent - hopefully helping to brighten the season for so many who are so far away from home.
"My neighbour Lyda Stegter who is here today with Mrs. Margaret Pol - she picked up on it and she started bringing boxes of cards to my place," explained Burnett.
They collected about 2,000 cards. Burnett also reached out locally, and even more have been steadily dropped off.
"Lacombe people are so wonderful," she said. "They are here for everyone. So this is my dream, and it's coming true. I'm really thankful for all of the people, and for the Dollar Tree that stepped up and gave us cards, too. I'm so happy."
First off, the cards will be delivered to Belleview, Ontario, and from there they are delivered to Canadian peacekeeper stationed in various countries overseas.
Burnett said the ongoing postal strike is impacting the overall effort, but thankfully, one of the Auxiliary members has a son serving in the military in Ontario who is helping out.
"We are going to get (the cards) to his unit in Trenton, and then from there they will be transporting them from Trenton to Belleview." Delivery can then take place from their to the various overseas locations.
Meanwhile, as mentioned, the group working to prepare the cards includes member of the local Legion Ladies Auxiliary of Lacombe Legion Branch No. 79.
"I'm so thankful for the volunteers," Burnett said, adding that Pol, who is originally from Holland, was actually overseas during the Second World War.
"When I joined the Legion, I had 20 things that I had wanted to do," recalled Burnett. "And I think I have completed them all now," she added with a smile.
That list included holding various posts with the Ladies Auxiliary, and to continue building a local Legion archive system that her mom started up years back when she was a member.
Ultimately, the Christmas card project is extremely meaningful to her, and she knows it will touch hearts overseas, too. "I could cry. I might now," she added with chuckle.
And when she sees her faithful team work so hard to prepare as many cards as possible, it moves her even more.
"I love them all," she said, adding they are a wonderful mix of Legion and community members.
For Pol and Stegter, who, like Pol, hails from Holland as well, it's certainly been a meaningful project to be a part of.
Both women said they find it really enjoyable, and fulfilling, to know the cards they are preparing will go to people who can really benefit from the gesture.
Pol also recalled being nine years old when the Second World War ended, and pointed out that the Dutch people are still so grateful to Canada for its part in liberation efforts. The Canadian military led the liberation of the Netherlands from September 1944 to May 1945.
Meanwhile, Burnett said the Ladies Auxiliary is always seeking new members.
"We also take juniors - our youngest junior is 12," she said.
For more information about signing up, call the Legion office at 403-782-782-6441.
"They can also stop in on the first Tuesday of each month. We have our meeting upstairs, starting at 7 p.m."
