The small, red flowers of Remembrance are back and currently available both inside businesses and from the trays of legion members and volunteers.
Both the Ladner and Tsawwassen legions are hoping to see the South Delta community pull together again for another year of supporting veterans and their families through donating while picking up your poppy.
“Last year, the public was so generous – with COVID and knowing our legion was closed three times for COVID. The community of Delta is so incredible, and we just hope that they continue to do that for our veterans,” says Jacky Hillairet, manager of the Ladner legion.
Tap-to-pay boxes will also be an option at higher-traffic locations for an easier, more pandemic-friendly way to donate, with both legions being given two devices each this year.
The Ladner legion has specifically said they’ll be accepting card payments with these devices at their legion.
They’ll also have black, centre-of-the-poppy shaped pins for sale, which more securely fasten your poppy to your coat or shirt.
“Each year, the Royal Canadian Legion conducts the Poppy Campaign, along with thousands of our members who volunteer from coast to coast to raise funds in support of veterans and their families. Poppies are distributed freely, but your generous donations are invaluable,” reads the Royal Canadian Legion’s website.
Wearing a poppy during the Remembrance period honours Canada’s fallen soldiers and veterans, and both legions are encouraging everyone to wear a poppy to remember and pay respect to veterans still with us today.
Volunteering numbers are spottier than the usual pre-pandemic assistance, and both legions are open to having the public sign up for some time slots as long as they’re willing to follow COVID protocols.
“It would be nice to get some help, but the biggest help would be to just wear a poppy,” says Ken Harvey, the new president of the Tsawwassen legion as of January this year, with a chuckle.
If you’re interested in assisting with the poppy campaign in Tsawwassen, call the legion at 604-943-0232, and if you’re interested in helping out in Ladner, call their legion at 604-946-4611.
