Paige Seburn
Niagara Now/The Lake Report
The aura of anticipation filled the air at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 124 on Saturday, as community members gathered for a chance to take home a turkey or ham for this year’s Thanksgiving dinner.
The Ham and Turkey Roll began at 2 p.m. on Oct. 5. It was open to the public, with tokens available at $2 each.
Fifteen turkeys and five hams were up for grabs this year and 30 people entered their names into the draw.
The draw has become a cherished tradition at the Legion, with a history spanning many years, said Maurice Pam, first vice-president of Legion Branch 124.
He was the man entrusted with the important task of spinning the wheel.
“We do it also for Easter and Labour Day too. It’s just a thing we’ve done for years,” he said. “It’s a longtime tradition.”
Every entry name was assigned a number. Pam would spin the wheel, see what number it landed on and pull a slip from the draw to reveal one of the 20 lucky winners.
Pam said the Ham and Turkey Roll is a way to bring people together and hopefully get them a good meal at a low cost, adding that community involvement has always been a key component of the draw.
The thrill of winning brought smiles to many faces as attendees eagerly awaited their chance at the next big win, he said.
This annual draw is a staple in the Legion’s calendar. So, you might not need as much money as you thought for your next holiday dinner — just tokens.