Quadra Island, British Columbia
Mr. McDonald is a Veteran of the Korean War who retired from the Canadian Armed Forces in 1978. He joined Branch 237 of the Royal Canadian Legion in 1980, when the Branch was about to close and lose its charter. In order to prevent this from happening, he placed an advertisement in a local newspaper, paid out of his own pocket, stating that without a quorum, the Branch would cease to exist. His plan was successful and he went on to serve in a number of executive positions at the Branch, including 1st vice-president and four terms as president. In order to raise much-needed funds, Mr. McDonald borrowed bingo equipment to host a bingo night every week. After his first year as president, he discovered that the Branch building was on Crown land being leased. In order to purchase it, he began a fundraiser to "Walk His Age" every year. Members of the Branch and the community also pledged to walk every year for seven years, and those walks raised $30,000 to purchase the land. Mr. McDonald is a recipient of the RCL’s Meritorious Service Medal. He has also served as the North Vancouver Island Zone commander, as a member of the BC/Yukon Command Provincial Council, and as a BC/Yukon Command Provincial Executive officer where he has served as the Honours and Awards chairman. At Branch 154 on Quadra Island, Mr. McDonald has served as sergeant-at-arms, Poppy Committee chair, and chairman of the committee that constructed a wheel-chair ramp for the Branch. Furthermore, he has helped to run the Saturday Meat Draw, he worked with CFB Comox engineers to build a new cenotaph, and to fix the Branch’s fire doors. He assists in Branch work parties, regularly attends and organizes Remembrance Day ceremonies, and is a strong supporter of the Ladies Auxiliary. Mr. McDonald was the chairman of the Quadra Island Cemetery Board of Trustees for four years.