Legion poppy donation boxes are out (photo Colton Mckee)

By Chantal Wagner

supporting veterans

2020 legion poppy campaign underway

Oct 30, 2020 | 4:11 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Starting today, Canadians from coast to coast to coast will be wearing poppies to remember those who sacrificed for our freedom.

The annual poppy campaign for the Royal Canadian Legion is underway.

The campaign traditionally runs from the last Friday of October to November 11.

The Royal Canadian Legion Robertson Memorial Branch No.17 in Medicine Hat set up their poppy donation tables and placed poppy boxes on Friday.

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Along with the various poppy donation boxes at local businesses, volunteers will be set up at four locations in the city.

This year, legion tables will be in the mall outside The Bay, Co-op in Northlands, Walmart, and Canadian Tire.

President Sheila Donner says the 200 red legion masks are currently sold out but more are on the way.

The local Branch 17 masks are available.

Donner says this year at Shoppers Drug Mart in the mall, HSBC is starting a cashless tap donation option as a pilot project. The legion will then receive those funds collected.

She says there are also some volunteer times available for the poppy tables.

Donner says the poppy campaign is vital for the legion and to help veterans.

“We just recently had a request for a winterized scooter from a family for a veteran in need. And we’ve done ramps, wheelchairs, we’ve done donations to residents where a lot of our veterans live. And it’s really helpful, it helps individuals, and it helps a group as well.”

The Remembrance Day ceremony will still take place at the cenotaph in Riverside Veterans’ Memorial Park and will be limited to 100 people in attendance.

But it will be live-streamed by Cook Southland Funeral Chapel on their Facebook page for residents.

Attendees must wear a mask and be physically distant.

Donner says local dignitaries will be present and veterans get first priority to attend.

“We opened it to veterans first and so far it’s veterans and those who are organizing. We still have a few openings for veterans they have until November 6, call the legion, we’re giving out tickets, no charge. And we’d love to have our veterans at the cenotaph on November 11.”

A convoy is also being planned for November 11.

It will start at Co-op Place at 11:30 and drive past the cenotaph.

We’ll have more information on the convoy as it gets organized.

To volunteer or attend the Remembrance Day ceremony on November 11 call the legion at 403-527-7184.