Legion helps school with much-needed sound system

Brad Gable (center right), the Director of Contract Sales for Sysco, presents a cheque for $750 to the Commander of MARPAC/JTF (P), Rear Admiral Art McDonald (left), Base Administrative Officer Commander Jeanne Lessard (center left), and Base Commander Captain (Navy) Steven Waddell (right), during the National Defence Workplace Charitable Campaign fundraising Pancake Breakfast at the Chief’s & Petty Officers’ Mess, Nov. 16. Photos by MCpl Brent Kenny, MARPAC Imaging Services

Brad Gable (center right), the Director of Contract Sales for Sysco, presents a cheque for $750 to the Commander of MARPAC/JTF (P), Rear Admiral Art McDonald (left), Base Administrative Officer Commander Jeanne Lessard (center left), and Base Commander Captain (Navy) Steven Waddell (right), during the National Defence Workplace Charitable Campaign fundraising Pancake Breakfast at the Chief’s & Petty Officers’ Mess, Nov. 16. Photos by MCpl Brent Kenny, MARPAC Imaging Services

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~

The Royal Canadian Legion’s mission statement of “acting in service to Canada’s communities” is now coming in loud and clear on the new sound system at Rockheights Middle School.

Over $6,300 in charitable funding from the Royal Canadian Legion’s Esquimalt Dockyard Branch #172 was used to purchase a new state-of-the-art sound system for the Esquimalt public school’s gymnasium and auditorium.

During a Nov. 2 ceremony students and staff thanked Branch #172 Manager Doug Grant and 1st Vice President Jim MacMillan-Murphy for the donation, and gave a demonstration of the new system and its wireless microphone and hands-free blue tooth capabilities.

“It makes me proud to be a principal at a school in Esquimalt where we know we can come together to build positive relationships like this one in our community,” said Principal Maryanne Trofimuk.

The new sound system will be used to play music during concerts for its music program, for gym classes and dances, and as a public address system when the school hosts assemblies, guest speakers, parent-student orientation, and sporting events.

Trofimuk and Grade 7 teacher Sanjiv Galhon said the previous sound system was antiquated and sounded terrible. It used a plug-in microphone that would constantly cut out and deliver ear-wrenching feedback noises. 

Galhon who teaches physical education classes at the school says the Legion’s generosity has helped the school build a new alliance.

“Our students have just made an important friendship in the community,” he says, adding, “As a gym teacher the system offers us easy, simple, plug and play access and sound at our fingertips and it really helps get the students enthused and moving during gym class.”

Trofimuk said the relationship between the school and the Legion began when they spoke at the No Stone Left Alone ceremony at God’s Acre Cemetery last year. 

“He [Doug Grant] said if there was ever anything the school needed they could help us get the money,” said Trofimuk. She then told Grant about the audio problems and he said, “Leave it to me.”

“Initially we thought he might buy us a new set of speakers or an equalizer board, but certainly not a state-of-the-art sound system. We were shocked and delighted when we realized the capacity of the system we would be getting,” said Trofimuk.

Grant went to the branch membership and asked them for funds at one of their regular meetings.

“It’s such a great feeling to know we can do things like this and help groups in the community in need of our support,” said Grant.

Branch #172 made $56,164 in donations to community groups and individuals in 2015, and this year has so far surpassed $42,000 in donations. Other recipients included The Rainbow Kitchen and the ALS Society of B.C.’s Victoria Chapter. The local branch also bought new computers for Macaulay Elementary School, a new set of wrestling mats for Esquimalt High School, and a Jaws of Life device for the Township of Esquimalt Fire Department.

Trofimuk and Galhon both said the new relationship with the Legion is a natural fit for the school because of the high percentage of its student body, approximately 20 per cent, who have parents working at CFB Esquimalt along with strong ties to Esquimalt’s community of military veterans. 

“Myself and Mr. Grant both agreed when we spoke that we don’t want this relationship to be a one-off,” said Galhon. “We also wanted them to be aware that we are willing and able to assist the Legion when they need our support.”

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  1. The sound system is very important to any system which is very helpful for us. I have an Apple Tv and if I have any problem go to the technical support and it provide the best support. which is very helpful for us.

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