Two businessmen from Cobble Hill have made an “extraordinarily generous” donation to the Malahat Legion, Branch #134, to assist in the costs of improvements to the Cobble Hill Cenotaph and surrounding area planned for 2024.
The businessmen, Chris Clement and Dan Johnston, have asked that the amount of their donation not be disclosed.
The cheque was presented to legion president Isabelle Hammer and treasurer Virginia Bauder.
Hammer gave her sincere thanks to the two men for their kindness and said that the donation will aid the legion in efforts to secure additional grant funding for the improvement project from Veterans Affairs Canada.
She also said that the donation demonstrates the incredible compassion and involvement of Cowichan’s businesses and residents who have shown, over and again, their commitment to Canada’s veterans both past and present.
Mike Wilson, Cowichan Valley Regional District director for Cobble Hill, also thanked the donors and said that the contribution will complement already allocated funds from the community works fund being held by the CVRD parks department which will manage the project.
“The plans include a complete refurbishment of the cenotaph itself, a new flagstaff with a crosspiece so that the Canadian, British Columbia and Legion flags can all be hoisted together, with distributed power and lighting so that the cenotaph can be illuminated at night,” he said.
As well, Hammer and Wilson thanked the Shawnigan Cobble Hill Farmers Institute who are also making a major contribution to the project by connecting power to the cenotaph area from the adjoining hall’s distribution panel.