Volunteers of the cash-strapped Royal Canadian Legion Branch 101 are busy these days making face masks to help save lives and raise funds for their programs.

Branch 101, at 3850 Lake Shore Blvd. W., near Brown’s Line, has released a great selection of styles and colours of cotton masks which are for sale on their website. The masks cost $10 each and can be delivered to your door.

Local president Jeff Ankenmann says 101, like most Branches, have lost all their revenue this year from hall rentals and events which were cancelled due to the COVID-19.

Most of the Legion branches are shut and programs cancelled.

“We had to do something to raise funds and get back on our feet,” Ankenmann says. “Now we have about six volunteers sewing from their homes to make all the masks.”

He says the masks will be available on what would normally be their biggest day for generating funds, which is Canada Day on July 1.  This year though all programming for Canada Day is cancelled or scaled back due to the pandemic.

Ankenmann says a large selection of pre-packaged masks will be available for sale in a “drive-through” service in the parking lot of the legion on July 1.

“There will be tables set up with all the well-made, safe cotton masks,” he says. “They are available in various colours and sizes that are made to order.”

The Branch hopes to raise about $5,000 from the sale of the masks to continue with some of their much-needed programs.

The legion has sold more than 100 of the facial coverings and are producing hundreds more for sale on Canada Day.

You can also order your mask by visiting their website at www.legion101.com or by email at legion101@rogers.com or calling Jeff at 647-523-8555.