Hospice Prince Edward is benefitting from a grant from the Ontario Provincial Command Branches and Ladies Auxiliaries Charitable Foundation of the Royal Canadian Legion.

Members of the local Branch 78 of the RCL were on hand at Hospice Prince Edward on Friday afternoon to turn over a cheque for $5,496.

The funds will be utilized to purchase a bariatric bed and mattress for Hospice Prince Edward residents.

“We appreciate this so much and these funds are going to a great use in securing a bariatric bed for our residents,” Hospice Prince Edward Residential Manager Deb MacDonald told the Gazette.

“Branch 78 contributes a substantial amount to the charitable groups at provincial command annually so we encourage local organizations that work and service veterans that there are these grants available,” Branch 78 Vice President Tom McCaw added further. “We encourage any group that are involved with veterans to reach out and find out information to see if they qualify for these types of grants.”

The majority of money contributed to the provincial command charitable fund comes by way of poppy sales.

Branch 78 President Dianne Kennedy added that while organizations for veterans are encouraged to apply for provincial grants, veterans themselves can contact the Branch for assistance with various needs from snow removal and grass cutting to filing paperwork to Veteran’s Affairs.

“If any veteran needs help we ask them to approach the Legion. We have money available and we can also help out with any of the Veteran’s Affairs paperwork to access funds,” Kennedy added.