Poppy campaign aids local veterans

LEST WE FORGET: Members of the Taber Legion, Taber Police Service, Taber Fire Department, town employees and other local dignitaries and organizations gathered in the Administration Building lobby last week to kick off the 2017 Poppy Campaign. TIMES PHOTO BY TREVOR BUSCH

By Greg Price
Taber Times
gprice@tabertimes.com

The Poppy Campaign from the Royal Canadian Legion was officially rolled out last Friday as a way of remembrance for those who serve their country.

“It’s a combination where first and foremost, it’s an act of remembrance to honour those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice and those who continue to serve actively or in a retired capacity,” said Christopher Nguyen, sergeant at arms for the Remembrance Committee for Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 20. “And as well, because of our dwindling number of veterans who are registered to each of the legion branches, it’s a way of helping finance a fund for veterans in need. That is the beauty of the Poppy Campaign, the money goes directly to local veterans.”

Through your donations to the Legion Poppy Fund, the Legion provides financial assistance and support to Veterans, including Canadian Armed Forces and RCMP, and their families who are in need. Poppy funds may be used for:

* Grants for food, heating costs, clothing, prescription medication, medical appliances and equipment, essential home repairs and emergency shelter or assistance for Veterans and their families in need

* Housing accommodation and care facilities for Veterans
* Funding for Veteran Transition Programs that are directly related to the training, education and support needs of Veterans and their families
* Comforts for Veterans and their surviving spouses who are hospitalized and in need
* Veterans visits, transportation, reading programs and day trips
* Accessibility modifications to assist Veterans with disabilities
* Educational bursaries for children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of Veterans
* Support of cadet units
* Community drop-in centres, meals-on-wheels, and seniors services in communities where Veterans would benefit
* Community medical appliances, medical training and medical research which will assist in the care of Veterans in the community
* Support the work of Legion Command and Branch Service Officers across Canada in assisting and representing Veterans
* Donations for relief of disasters declared by federal or provincial governments which impact Veteran in those communities
* Promotion and administering of Remembrance activities to ensure Canadians never forget the sacrifices of Canada’s Veterans

“We really want to make sure we have the trust from the public and the support from the public of the Poppy Campaign that that money is directly for the veterans,” said Nguyen. “The local funds that have gone towards local veterans has been extremely helpful.”

Poppy boxes will be located in businesses across Taber for people to donate. If you would like to donate directly, you can log onto http://www.legion.ca/remembrance/the-poppy.

Poppy Trust Fund Administration

The Poppy Campaign is organized and run by local Legion volunteers at over 1400 branches across Canada and abroad. Poppy Funds are held in trust at every level of the Legion and the use of these trust funds are strictly controlled, with appropriate approval processes. Branch executives are accountable for Poppy Fund expenditures and are required to inform the public through local media of the results of their campaign, including contributions received and disposition of funds. You may contact your local Legion branch to request information on their Poppy Campaign.

Details on the Poppy Trust Fund can be found in the Legion`s Poppy Manual.