By Charles Lefebvre

Poppy Campaign raises approximately $70,000 in Medicine Hat

Nov 19, 2018 | 2:10 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — The local branch of the Royal Canadian Legion says they’ve raised more money to help veterans locally with this year’s Poppy Campaign.

According to Sheila Donner, president of the Robertson Memorial Branch No. 17, they expect the final total from the campaign to hit approximately $70,000, up $5,000 from last year.

“Medicine Hat has fabulous citizens, I’m so proud of them,” she said. “It is just astounding, and they’re so friendly.”

“During the Remembrance Day Service, I told the crowd, ‘This little poppy unites us.’ It makes us proud, and I think most Canadians, and all of Medicine Hat, knows when they see the poppy, they come up and make a donation.”

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The legion says it is still counting some of the final donation boxes before it arrives at an exact total.

Donner says the money is placed in a trust, with the majority staying in the community to help veterans in need. In the past, the money has been used to help purchase mobility scooters and other equipment for veterans, or help them pay rent if needed.

“When I say veterans, I don’t just mean World War 2 veterans or Korean War, I’m talking the younger veterans from Bosnia, Afghanistan and so on, even the conflicts that are happening around the world today,” says Donner.

Donner says some of the money is also donated to the local cadet programs and to seniors’ living facilities in the city to help veterans living in those facilities. The local legion can also assist people in neighbouring communities.

Outside of Medicine Hat, Donner says the legion will be donating money for a transitional home for homeless veterans in Calgary.

Donner says she is thankful for the support from volunteers who helped with the campaign.