Remembrance and Poppy Campaign
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Mayor Charlie Clark, and John Peters, Past Chair – Poppy Trustees. John presented the first poppy of the 2018 Campaign to the Mayor.
THE POPPY has been widely recognized as a symbol of Remembrance since it was first adopted in 1921. By wearing the Poppy we demonstrate our gratitude to those who served our country and for the freedom we enjoy.
Starting the last Friday in October, the Saskatoon Legion Branches and the Army and Navy Veterans (ANAVETS) carry out our Poppy Campaign. All of the money raised through this campaign remains and is used in the city and Greater Saskatoon area. Volunteers from our Saskatoon branches commit thousands of hours each year to carry out Remembrance activities.
The basic purpose of the Poppy Fund is to provide assistance to veterans (ex-service men and women).
Support provided includes help with shelter, groceries, transportation, medications, medical aids (walkers, scooters). The fund also supports bursaries for Veterans’ dependants, Cadet Squadrons, school Remembrance Day Poster, Poem and Essay Contest and general community needs including Veterans Village at Sherbrooke Community Centre and our hospitals.
Veterans (Armed Services, Police and RCMP or their dependants) are eligible to apply for financial aid from the Poppy Fund, whether they are Legion members or not.
THEY SHALL GROW NOT OLD AS
WE THAT ARE LEFT GROW OLD
AGE SHALL NOT WEARY THEM
NOR THE YEARS CONDEMN
AT THE GOING DOWN OF THE SUN
AND IN THE MORNING
WE WILL REMEMBER THEM
After expenses, such as the cost of Poppies, wreaths and other supplies are deducted, all remaining moneys are transferred to the Poppy Trustees. The funds are held separately from Branch general funds, and can only be used for those purposes authorized in the General By-laws of the Royal Canadian Legion.
Campaign expenses are generally low, as most of the work is voluntary.
Over the past 10 years, the Poppy Trustees have distributed 1.2 million dollars in Saskatoon and area.
Interested in Volunteering?
Interested volunteers may send us their contact information below (preferred method), or by email: poppy.legion@sasktel.net or by phone: (306) 477-6779. We will then contact you when we require help. It may be helping at functions such as Veteran’s Appreciation Day or Volunteer Appreciation Day, or sitting at tables in retail stores and shopping centres. We also require people who are able to drive, to do last-minute deliveries or fill in at tables.
Jobs and needs vary each year, but will be from mid-October to Remembrance Day.