Once again, the poppy campaign yielded a healthy crop of donations for the Royal Canadian Legion, Trail Branch #11.
Through the annual poppy campaign, veterans raise money for the Trail branch as well as for the provincial and national campaign.
“We are at about $20,500,” said Glenda Reilly, office administration manager to the Legion.
“This is very comparable to last year and as always shows the great support of our community.”
The campaign is one of the biggest fundraisers of the year for the Legion, and several programs are dependent on the money raised to continue operating,” she added.
Last year, the branch provided comforts for veterans and seniors in regional care facilities, and provided emergency services to three local veterans, with part of the funds.
Additionally, the funds were distributed to four bursaries to grandchildren of veterans; the purchase of a new medication fridge for the renal unit and donation to the digital mammography campaign at Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital; donations to the Veteran’s Transitions program and to the Commonwealth Ex-servicemen league.
The Poppy Campaign takes place every November just prior to Remembrance Day.
An estimated 18 million poppies were worn this year, and by making a donation and wearing a poppy, Canadians continue to honor the many lives lost during war.
“Reasons may vary, but it all comes down to our shared Canadian beliefs and values in caring for our fellow Canadian, and this is just what the poppy campaign does,” said Rob Reilly, chairman of remembrance week.