Support this year's Remembrance Day poppy campaign
Kevin Laliberte
Express Staff
Residents and businesses throughout the Smoky River region are encouraged to show their support for war veterans and the McLennan Royal Canadian Legion by making monetary contributions to this year’s poppy fundraising campaign.
Approximately 2,000 red poppies will be available at various businesses, municipal offices and schools throughout the region as part of the campaign, which kicks off towards the end of October.
The annual campaign helps to raise funds for needy Canadian ex-service members and their dependents as well as Commonwealth veterans of World War II who may be eligible for assistance.
“Proceeds raised from the poppy campaign go into a trust fund and are traditionally used to support Canadian war veterans and their families,” says Don Fish, secretary treasurer for the McLennan Royal Canadian Legion Branch 153, adding that the local branch also allocates proceeds from the sale of poppies each year for worthwhile community initiatives.
“We try to give as much back to the community each year as possible,” Fish explains.
On average, the legion raises approximately $2,000 in proceeds from the poppy campaign each year, a portion of which is derived from business and private donations for the use of wreathes to help promote Remembrance Day.
The legion has a number of wreathes which are available for display purposes to help symbolize the importance of Remembrance Day, adding that monetary donations of $25 for the use of wreathes is requested, however not required.
Poppy locations are being set up throughout the region, including the Village of Girouxville and Girouxville Canada Post as well as the Village of Donnelly and local post office.
Addition locations include the Town of Falher, Falher Canada Post, Caisse Horizon Credit Union, ATB Financial, Bank of Montreal, Falher IDA, Villa Beausejour, Ecole Heritage School, Ecole Routhier School, IGA, UFA, Falher Co-op, Falher Holdings and the Municipal District of Smoky River office.
Locations in McLennan include the Town of McLennan, McLennan Canada Post, McLennan IDA, ATB Financial, Sacred Heart Community Healthcare Centre, Manoir du Lac, Ecole Providence School, Home Hardware, Lakeview Foods (Bigway) and the McLennan Liquor Store.
All wreathes will be picked up by the legion’s poppy campaign committee in the days immediately following the Nov. 11th ceremony.
Any poppy locations requiring additional poppies are asked to contact Norma Sobolewski at (780)-324-3034 or Fish at (780)-837-0564.
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