By Karen Palmer
Free Press Reporter Members of London's Royal Canadian Legion Branch No.
2 are getting buffed for their topless car wash this weekend.
The branch will be soaping up sedans today, but they're not saying who'll
be sans T-shirts.
"We thought we'd jump on the controversial bandwagon," said Jeff
Ryan, 33, second-vice at the branch.
"Everyone can assume it's women, but that's sexist," he said.
The topless car wash is the brainchild of Barb Jones, branch manager and
treasurer, who said she'll keep her shirt on to keep customers coming in. She got
the idea from all the media attention surrounding Tooters, the topless car wash
staffed by women that was shut down by the city earlier this summer.
She said at first most of the Legion members were appalled at the idea, until
they realized they could go bare as well.
Ryan says all the topless washers will be between the ages of 30 and 38.
The Legion's 200 members have been running with the theme of toplessness.
Ryan says they've had a "The Young and the Breastless" competition, which
introduced their members to dressing in drag.
The car wash is an attempt at raising some much-needed cash for the branch,
which Ryan said is sinking in debt.
Jones said they're $350,000 in debt and declining membership isn't helping
bring in the funds.
CHARITY SUPPORT:
The branch, which includes as members veterans and their families, supports
a long list of London charities, including the Memorial Boys' and Girls' Club, the
battered women's shelter and the Salvation Army.
They used to raise money by selling Nevada lottery tickets, but both Jones
and Ryan said the city's cut of the profits -- about 20 per cent -- leaves them
without enough revenue to cover costs.
Branch No. 2 asked the city for some relief on their $23,000 property taxes,
but were told they were already getting all the relief the city could give them.
They're considering selling their building to pay off their mortgage and
debts, then leasing a smaller place.
Patrick Lloyd, president of Branch 501 Lambeth, said his branch, like most
London branches, is trying to stave off debt.
"We're above water, just above water," he said.
Lloyd's branch also requested relief from the city on its annual $12,000
tax bill, since they don't use any city services except fire and police protection.
They'll wait for council's approval on Tuesday night.
IF YOU GO
What: A "topless" car wash to benefit the Royal Canadian Legion
Branch No. 2
Where: 40 York St.
When: Today, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
How much: $5 for a wash, a hot dog and a draw ticket for a satellite dish.