The Royal Canadian Legion is concerned for their annual Poppy campaign this year.
With COVID-19 changing the way of life for many, Legion officials are worried the campaign might not make enough money to fill their Poppy Trust Fund, a fund used to help support veterans with needs, services and assistance.
Wayne Thorburne, president of the Branch 24 Bridgewater Legion said it isn’t looking good, but they are remaining optimistic.
“We still have some funds there, we’re not completely out,” he said.
“The wreaths that we sell, that money will automatically go back in to the Poppy Trust Fund. Each year we sell between 100-120 of them. Those usually bring in around $4,000-5,000. We will have enough to support the veterans at least.”
After the end of their fiscal year in September, Thorburne said they are sitting at around $20,000 in the fund, which will help assist veterans in need but won’t leave much room for community contributions.
The concern for just how much they will add to that fund stems from how current COVID-19 safety restrictions will effect this year’s campaign and how its run.
They will be setting up a display at the South Shore Shopping Centre which will be staffed, said Thorburne.
But as for other locations, many will simply have a tray for collecting donations and providing poppies – Without staff or volunteers on site.
Other locations where poppies will be available include Bridgewater Atlantic Superstore, Tim Hortons and the Bridgewater NSLCs, among others.
“We’ve scaled way back from other years,” he said, “But we’re trying to put them in locations where the public can still get to them.”
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