Free programs for seniors & veterans and community support

This new program (est 2026) offers free of charge sessions to Seniors & Veterans who have ever felt left behind by technology, or just wish someone would slow down and explain it properly. No experience needed, no silly questions, and no pressure. Just a relaxed hour and a half to learn something useful, get help with whatever's been bothering you on your device, and do it all in good company.  Sessions take place on the first Tuesday of every month, from 4:30–6:00 PM (except August).  Each session is split into two parts:

Hands-on Learning (first 45 minutes) — We cover a focused topic together, followed by a short exercise to try it out in real time.

Collaborative Troubleshooting (second 45 minutes) — This is open office-hour time to work through whatever's been giving you trouble. Bring your device and we can fix it together on the spot, or figure out who can help.

Session Schedule

June 2, 2026: Smartphone & Tablet Basics 
What we’ll cover: How to download apps, setting up daily alarms for medication reminders, turning up text size so it’s easier to read, and how to safely connect to Wi-Fi & pair with bluetooth. 

July 7, 2026: Google & Email Basics
What we’ll cover: A detailed walkthrough for setting up a Gmail account, how to safely read and reply to emails on your phone, attaching a photo, and a gentle introduction to Google Drive for storing and sharing files.

September 1, 2026: Introduction to AI (Artificial Intelligence)
What we’ll cover: What "AI" and "Large Language Models" mean in plain English, real-world examples of AI we already use today, why AI is helpful if you don't like typing on small screens, and safety basics on what you should and shouldn't share.

October 6, 2026: Web Browser Essentials
What we’ll cover: How to use a web browser (like Google Chrome or Safari), how to search for things efficiently, open multiple tabs, save your favourite websites, and what to do when a page freezes or something just won't load.

November 3, 2026: Online Safety & Scam Prevention
What we’ll cover: How to spot a fake "phishing" email or text message, how to identify a suspicious sender from an email address, how to unsubscribe from annoying junk mail lists, and how to save passwords on device safely. 

December 1, 2026: Practical AI & Voice Tools
What we’ll cover: Setting up a free account on ChatGPT or Gemini, how to type or speak a question to a chatbot, using "Voice Mode" to talk to your device like a person, and fun ways to use AI (asking for recipes, historical facts, or drafting notes).

We are excited and pleased to offer this free of charge program since Nov 2025 and to invite Seniors & Veterans in our community to join us at Billy Bishop/Kerrisdale Legion, for a Social Hour. 

Every 1st Tuesday of the month

• 4:30-6:00pm
• lower lounge
• FREE coffee & cake for seniors & veterans
• bring your friends or meet a new one 

Join us for complimentary cake, coffee, conversation, and connection. No RSVP needed-just drop in. A warm welcome awaits Tuesdays.

MUSEUM TOURS 

During Social Hour, directors of the Kits Point Military Museum will be providing FREE Museum tours.  Join a tour, learn some interesting history and significance behind 100's of plaques, and history artifacts that are on display throughout our branch.  Everyone is welcome to join the free tours. 

🌱 Join Us in the Garden Every Tuesday this summer! 🌱

Looking for a fun way to spend an afternoon outdoors, meet new people, and help keep our community garden beautiful?

Billy Bishop/Kerrisdale Legion invites community members, seniors, friends, and neighbours to join us every Tuesday from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM for light garden work in our beautiful garden space.

🌿 Weeding
🌸 Planting new flowers and plants
💧 Watering
✂️ Pruning
🌻 General garden care

No experience necessary and no sign-up required. Come for as little or as long as you'd like!

Bring a friend, meet new friends, enjoy some fresh air, and help us grow something beautiful together.

📅 Every Tuesday
⏰ 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
📍 Billy Bishop/Kerrisdale Legion
1407 Laburnum Street, Vancouver

Everyone is welcome. We look forward to seeing you in the garden!

Looking for a fun night out with great company? Join us every 2nd Wednesday at Billy Bishop/Kerrisdale Legion for our FREE Movie Night!  Enjoy member-selected movies on the big screen in our comfortable Upper Lounge, along with complimentary popcorn.

This program is open to:
🎖️ Veterans
👵 Seniors
🏘️ Community Members
🎗️ Branch Members & Guests

📅 Every 2nd Wednesday
🕖 Movies Start at 7:00 PM
🍿 Free Popcorn
🎬 Free Admission
📍 Billy Bishop/Kerrisdale Legion
1407 Laburnum Street, Vancouver

Please note this is a 19+ event.

Bring a friend, relax, and enjoy a great movie night in your community. We look forward to seeing you at the Legion!

Billy Bishop/Kerrisdale Legion Brach 176 proudly supports local charities each year with funds collected via our gaming initiatives.  We are proud to continue with our Meat Draw Sundays and our new Bingo Tuesdays (since 2024).  Both of these gaming initiatives have contributed towards generous monetary support to various local charities each year, such as: 

• BC Adaptive Snow Sports - Shoulder to Shoulder - (provides opportunities for individuals with physical and / or cognitive disabilities) 
• Hero Dawgs  - (Indigenous-founded, non-profit organization enhancing mental health)
• Honour House Society -   (“Home away from home” for members of our Canadian Armed Forces, Veterans, Emergency Services Personnel and their families to stay, completely free of charge, while they are receiving medical care and treatment in the Metro Vancouver area)
• BC & Alberta Guide Dogs - (Professionally trained Guide Dogs, Autism Service Dogs, and OSI (Operational Stress Injury)-PTSD Service Dogs for citizens of British Columbia and Alberta)
• PSTD Dogs Citadel Canine Society - (Registered charity that provides professional evaluation, training and certification of PTSD medical service dogs at no charge to veterans and first responders whose service has exposed them to trauma and operational stress) 

Join us each Sunday from 4-6pm for Meat Draw, win some great prizes and enjoy the afternoon with friends.  Or if you like to play Bingo - come by on Tuesdays from 6-8pm to see what this fun evening is all about.  We play 5 round of games with trivia in between the rounds.   

HOLIDAY CHEER WITH OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS 

Each year on a Saturday prior to the Christmas Eve, we host a Caroling Night for our members, seniors, veterans and our local community.  For some attendees, this gathering is especially meaningful, as it may be the only holiday celebration and opportunity for community connection. Everyone is welcome to join us for an evening of cheer and gratitude.  Our guests enjoy: 

• Piano tunes with traditional holiday songs (sing along)
• Complimentary cookies
• Complimentary eggnog

Events like these bring our community together and we are pleased that the last couple of years have been well attended with over 100 guests enjoying the evening.  We look forward to the upcoming caroling night. 

POPPY FUND CONTRIBUTION

Each year our branch proudly contributes towards the Royal Canadian Legion Poppy Fund with help of volunteers and young cadets.  The RCL Poppy Fund is specifically intended to support veterans, serving Canadian Armed Forces members, RCMP members and their families, as well as to promote remembrance.   Contributions are distributed across programs such as Veterans & Family Assistance, Health & Well-Being, Remembrance Activities and Youth & Community Programs. 

In 2025, our branch 176 has proudly contributed $35,000 towards the RCL Poppy Fund!