Ormstown residents may have crossed paths at some point over the last year and a half with an energetic group of walkers exploring the village.
The Legion Walkers are a dynamic group affiliated with the Ormstown branch of the Royal Canadian Legion started by Legion treasurer Diana Montuenga and Legion vice-president Alice Loney. The pair set off on a first walk in May 2024 with about four other members in tow, and since then, the group has grown to include around 26 people.
Montuenga was relatively new to the area and wanted to get to know the village better by walking. She approached Loney, who was already a walker, and pitched the idea as a way to bring members together while promoting a healthier lifestyle.
The group now regularly gathers to walk together but also organizes yoga and Tai Chi sessions. They move their activities indoors to the Legion Hall during bad weather. A small fee of $3 is charged when they use the hall, and they have organized a spaghetti supper to raise funds. The group has also received spontaneous donations while out walking.
“We started out being just a walking group, but as things evolved, we started all these other little mini activities, and all the little revenues that we get go to a specific fund for activities to support the troops directly,” said Loney. The funds are also used to support veterans or community initiatives outside of the Legion’s general operations.
For example, the Legion has already sent gift boxes to troops who were deployed in Kuwait, and has made donations at the Royal Military College in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu. This year, the walkers decided to help a local soldier stationed outside the region with travel costs, by funding the purchase of travel vouchers to help him return home for a visit at some point this year.
The walkers are also very engaged with the Ormstown community. During each of their outings, the group snaps a photo in front of an Ormstown business or landmark and posts it to social media to help promote the town. This past holiday season, the walkers participated in different events from Christmas carolling to partnering with the Ormstown Lions Club to support community food baskets.
Loney explained that beyond promoting a healthier lifestyle, the walkers aim to create a new, vibrant image for the Legion, which may help to attract new and younger members.
The Legion Walkers group is not exclusive to Legion members, Loney said, but there has never been a better time to consider joining the organization. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Legion, and to mark the occasion, prospective new members will be able to join their local branch for free.
More information on the group can be found on the Ormstown Legion Branch 196 Facebook page. Prospective members can also reach out via this page for more information about joining the Legion.