Last call for poppy campaign
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 09/11/2020 (1970 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Despite a global pandemic restricting their physical presence, this year’s poppy campaign appears to be going well.
So described Brandon Royal Canadian Legion president Cindy Stumme, who said things are “pretty much on par with they way they’ve been in past years.”
Approximately 300 poppy boxes have been distributed around the community, and while this falls approximately 100 short of what is typically out there, she said there are plenty of locations for people to find poppies and pledge donations.
Veterans would usually be out sitting at tables in places like Shoppers Mall, Walmart and Canadian Tire to encourage people to pick up a poppy, but the pandemic put an end to this aspect of the 2020 campaign.
“We’re just requesting that people make a donation at those stores and get their poppies there,” Stumme said.
“I know the community of Brandon has always supported the poppy campaign in the past, and I hope they do it again his year.”
The campaign will run until Nov. 11, and Legionnaires will pick up poppy boxes throughout the community the following morning.
The coins rattling around these boxes go to various local causes that benefit not only veterans but also the public at large.
On Friday, Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 3 members gathered at their building to distribute some of last year’s poppy fund contributions.
Of the approximately $53,000 raised last year, $33,215.18 went to a handful of health-care organizations in Brandon that applied for funds through the Legion’s poppy fund. Their applications are earmarked for things like lifts, wheelchairs and other things to help veterans, and often others who need them.
Last year’s health-care contributions included:
• Dinsdale Personal Care Home: $6,110.30
• Fairview Personal Care Home: $2,773.32
• Hillcrest Place Personal Care Home: $5,260.64
• Rideau Park Personal Care Home: $3,450
• Valleyview Care Centre: $2,418.99
• Prairie Mountain Health — acute care: $7,586.94
• Brandon Fire & Emergency Services: $3,174.99
• St. John Ambulance: $2,440
The balance of each year’s poppy fund goes toward various other efforts to help local veterans and cadets, as well as bursaries for post-secondary education.
This year’s Remembrance Day service will not be public due to COVID-19 restrictions, but it will be broadcast live on WCGtv beginning at approximately 10:45 a.m.
To make a donation, contact a Legion volunteer at 204-728-5026. The Legion branch office, located at 560 13th St. East, will be open today and tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Some retailers have also agreed to have people’s donations added directly to their bills.
» tclarke@brandonsun.com
» Twitter: @TylerClarkeMB