Jo-Anne Carter has significantly contributed to Veterans’ recognition and well-being for over 15 years through her membership with The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 76 in Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan.
Jo-Anne’s leadership has enhanced the Legion’s community presence and financial stability, ensuring its ongoing support for Veterans. Some of Jo-Anne’s key achievements include securing contributions from local businesses in order to build a new cenotaph, partnering with the local Masons’ group to install Veteran banners, creation of a photo gallery of local Veterans, and community service activities like bingo in nursing homes and Orange Shirt Day events. Jo-Anne is Métis, born in Île-à-la-Crosse, and she has ensured First Nations and Indigenous community organizations and Veterans are included in all events.
Prior to being recruited as the Legion’s Director in 2015, she actively supported the Poppy Campaign as an event volunteer. In 2018, she was sworn in as President of the Meadow Lake Branch where she promoted a strategy to grow own-source revenue to ensure the viability of the organization, as well as improve the facility structure and operations. She has been successful in both endeavours due to her tireless work to market, lead and foster the Legion as a venue for the whole community, as well as to her role in the preparation and delivery of the events hosted at the branch.
Another one of Jo-Anne’s achievements include the very successful weekly wing nights. Jo-Anne recruited several business to support the weekly fundraiser wing night where proceeds benefit local community groups as well as the Legion. She has garnered groups of volunteer cooks making it a real community effort. It has been a highly successful initiative raising over a thousand dollars each week.
The Legion also hosts a weekly steak night and does catering for many parties. Jo-Anne volunteers to do the cooking, taking reservations, ordering, cleaning, etc. She has also pursued grants to enable the organization to improve its facility and equipment.
Her leadership solidified the branch as a reputable community service organization.