Giving back to our Veterans is one of the best feelings of all

We’ve never forgotten our roots and where we made our start and man it felt good to spend some time with one of our very first loyal Cilantro and Chive guests and supporters Jamil Rawji!  A true community leader devoted to serving others, Jamil was our May Burger of the Month Guest Chef at our Lacombe location.

Jamil is the owner of Ponoka Professional Pharmacy and he helped serve up a little spice that the Doctor surely ordered!  His “Royal 66″ included a marinated chicken breast, pepper jack cheese, arugula, sliced tomato and pickles, shaved onion, and Moroccan aioli on a garlic butter brioche bun! $2 from every Lacombe May Burger of the Month sold will go directly to Jamil’s charity of choice the Ponoka Legion Branch 66.

Recognizing revenue streams are down, Jamil and his family wanted to show their appreciation and support for a community organization that is a second home to those who have served our country.  Offering up a place for the whole community to connect, Jamil says his family misses the socialization and support the Legion offers to the community.

The pandemic has severely impacted the Legion’s ability to generate revenue, they rely on events, rentals of their facility and memberships.  Despite the obstacles over the last 15 months, the Legion launched a Poppy Store, selling Legion masks, commemorative pins, and branded clothing.  They’ve made every effort to shift Veteran support to keeping connected with phone calls and letters.  Branch 66 received its charter and opened on May 4^th, 1928.  Their mission is to serve Veterans, regardless of where or when they served, including military and RCMP members and their families, to promote Remembrance and to serve the community and country.

Thanks to your support of our beloved Burger of the Month Program Jamil helped us hand over $812 to Ponoka Legion Branch 66 today (Friday, June 5th).  Thanks to the amazing support we see from our guests for our Burger of the Month program month after month, we have had the opportunity to give back over $80,000 to local charities over the past 52 months!  THANK-YOU!

The June Burger of the Month in Lacombe is “KIMCHI THE BEST” created in collaboration with guest chef Calder Sutton. It includes steamed bao with sriracha aioli, vegetarian Kimchi, a house made 4oz beef smash patty topped with hoisin ketchup, red miso glazed shredded pork, fresh pea shoots and garnished with a charred scallion! $2 from every Lacombe June Burger of the Month sold will go directly to the families of Andrew Abel & Nathaniel Johnson.

For more information contact:

Kaitlyn Knapp

Manager

Ponoka Legion

403.783.4076

rclbranch66@telus.net

Jamil Rawji

May LA BOTM Guest Chef

Ponoka Professional Pharmacy

403.783.3333

ponokarx@telusplanet.net

Kim Kay

Community Relations

Cilantro and Chive

403.597.2127

kim@cilantroandchive.ca