ANAF Unit #284 {Steveston} B.C.

        ARMY                    NAVY                  AIR  FORCE      

In 1946, thirty veterans from the Steveston area approached the Army, Navy & Air Force Veterans in Canada, seeking a Charter to open their own Veterans club. 

The first club was located above the Victory Cafe, at 2nd Avenue & Moncton St.  In 1947 ANAF "284" bought the Japanese Fisherman's Hospital converting it to a licensed club. The hospital was located at 11900 No.1 Road.

In those days, Legion Branch #5, and ANAF 284, were the only licensed premises in Richmond so there was never a lack of new members.

In spite of large crowds and good sales, the club was always on the verge of bankruptcy due to the lack of integrity in some of our earlier managers.

It was not uncommon to arrive at the club and find it locked; and that usually meant that the manager left the night before with the cash; never to be seen again!!

Somehow "284" survived and in 1956 things looked brighter. We ended up with an honest manager and a new waiter named Sparky Drombolis; showed a reasonable profit, and sponsored Little League teams.

As things improved, a glow appeared in the skies over Steveston the night of December 29, 1956. This bright glow was the club burning to the ground. The membership and Ladies Auxiliary pitched in and kept the Charter alive by holding meetings wherever they could find a spot, but no matter where we were the main objective prevailed..... BUILD A NEW CLUB !!

It took from 1956 to 1959 to convince other Units and Command to lend us $8,100.  We took those funds and added it to the $4,100 we raised by selling debentures. We added these funds to the fire insurance money and began constructing our new club which opened December 10th, 1959; almost 3 years after the fire.

The manager in the new club was Jack McLean who had managed the White Rock Unit and Sparky Drombolis was our new Chief Steward. These two were our complete staff, and as well as drawing and serving beer, they also did the janitorial work and anything else that was needed to keep the club alive.

A year later, Jack asked for a leave of absence for what was said to be a bad heart condition and Sparky became acting manager. Unfortunately for Jack, a brewery rep dropped by "284" and remarked on what a fine job Jack was doing as the manager of the Bowser Hotel on Vancouver Island. Well, Jack was fired Feb 5th 1962 and Sparky Drombolis became our newest manager.

Suddenly everything began to move forward; credit ratings improved, loans got repaid, thanks in part to our new manager.  We had a first rate manager, dedicated staff, and a much wiser Executive Committee and membership.

We increased sponsorships in juvenile sports teams and pitched in to help such groups as the Heart Fund, Cancer Society, Red Cross, Salvation Army, Boy Scouts and Girl Guides, Navy League and other Cadet organizations, as well as many other non-profit organizations.

During the 1960's and 1970's, we turned our attention to the building of Senior Citizens homes.  Along with other ANAF Units, our first two seniors facilities were built in North Vancouver and Steveston, and then a high-rise facility in Vancouver, a total of 198 senior's suites.

We still support Senior Citizens homes and have also donated large sums of money to organizations such as the Terry Fox fund, George Derby Hospital, the Variety Club Telethon, Richmond General Hospital, Steveston Community Centre, job training for mentally challenged, the Japanese Language School, Rosewood Manor of the Richmond Intermediate Care Society, and other worthwhile organizations.

All of these monies come from the sale of provincial lottery tickets, weekly meat-draws, and bar sale.  It is only by the continued support of our members and guests that we are able to do these wonderful and worthwhile projects.

To our members and guests who support us we say.....

"THANKS  A  MILLION" !!