Last week signaled the official start of the Royal Canadian Legion’s annual poppy campaign. At 11 a.m. on Oct. 25, Legion members in St. Paul marked the beginning of the campaign by raising a poppy-themed flag in front of the Legion building on 49 Ave.
During the campaign, running from Oct. 25 until Remembrance Day, poppies will be available at many businesses around town.
“The idea of the poppy campaign is to support veterans, their children, and their grandchildren, as well as to give back to the community,” said Harold Lefebvre, one of the Legion members who helped raise the flag. He added, “All donations through the poppy program don’t go into our coffers – they are used to support communities, Legion members, and their families.”
“Last year, the Legion was able to put about $12,000 into the community,” said James Blair, another Legion member.
Often, efforts supported by funds from the Legion’s poppy campaign are joint ventures with organizations like the Lions Club.
Blair adds, “Some of the things that the money goes toward includes medical equipment for hospitals, (equipment) for the fire department, and things like glasses, dentures, and hearing aids for Legion members.”
Blair encourages anyone interested to visit the Legion at one of the many events it hosts.
“We’re open Fridays and Saturday afternoons from 12 to 6 p.m. On Nov. 1, we’re having a supper – we have one every second Friday.”