2021 poppy campaign underway | Wallaceburg Courier Press

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The Royal Canadian Legion’s annual poppy campaign is underway.

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And this year’s effort is particularly important, says a member of the Dunsdon Legion.

“COVID-19 has been difficult for everyone, including our veterans,” said Chrystal Petit-Pas, who is also the Legion’s District B secretary.

“Many of our veterans were already isolated and suffered from mental health issues and PTSD. This feeling of isolation has worsened in the wake of the pandemic and now we are busy catching up and trying to make sure everyone is okay. “

The Legion Halls, like most other gathering places, were closed during the pandemic, which also hampered fundraising efforts, Petit-Pas added.

District B covers much of Ontario east of London and includes Brantford, Brant County and Haldimand-Norfolk.

The legion said it raises around $ 20 million from its poppy campaign each year.

“Every cent raised through the Poppy Campaign is used to support our veterans,” said Petit-Pas.

“Some people think the money is used to support legion operations, but it’s not. The money is put into a trust and used for programs that help veterans. “

The money in the trust can be used for grants for food, heating costs, clothing, prescription drugs, medical devices and equipment, and home repairs, among others.

In addition to the more than 34,000 traditional poppy-filled boxes, the Legion also uses touch-and-give contactless donation boxes in locations across the country. The Legion said it would have 1,000 of these electronic boxes this year, up from 250 last year.

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The boxes offer donors the option to donate amounts of $ 2, $ 5 and $ 10. Donors receive a poppy from the electronic box.

“These boxes are amazing and are a really big addition to our campaign,” said Petit-Pas. “In many places we still have the plastic coin collection boxes that we have been using for years and which were ideal for collecting change. “

But she noted that a lot of people pay with debit or credit cards these days and don’t carry a lot of change, which in turn is hurting the Poppy Campaign.

Volunteers who distribute poppies should always wear masks, stay away and get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Petit-Pas has been busy distributing poppy boxes throughout the community for the past few days. The cans can be found at many local retail outlets, including grocery stores, beer and liquor stores.

Boxes were also distributed to schools, businesses and local industries, Petit-Pas said.

People can also support this year’s campaign digitally at www.mypoppy.ca or by visiting www.legion.ca/.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the poppy as a symbol of remembrance. To commemorate the anniversary, a special lapel pin that reproduces the original fabric pin from 1921 is available in the Poppy store at www.poppystore.ca.

The Royal Canadian Mint produced a commemorative poppy coin and Canada Post created a commemorative poppy stamp. Additionally, the Legion created the Immortal Poppy to commemorate the anniversary and preserve the memory of deceased Canadians.

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The poppy was adopted by the Great War Veterans Association in 1921 and has been worn during the week leading up to the Remembrance Day ceremony held at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month since then. The ceremony honors the thousands of Canadians who made the ultimate sacrifice in World Wars I and II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and, more recently, the war in Afghanistan.

Anna Guerin of France is credited with first proposing the poppy as a symbol of war sacrifices after World War I. His inspiration came from the poem In Flanders Fields, written by the lieutenant colonel. John McCrae, a Canadian who served in the First World War. The poem is read annually at Remembrance Day ceremonies across Canada.

With files from the Canadian Press.

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