ESTEVAN - Royal Canadian Legion Estevan branch president Jim (Frosty) Forrest met legion members John Greenhough and Gloria Leitch at King Street Friday morning to kick off the local poppy campaign.
The official beginning of one of the most meaningful and valuable legion fundraisers of the year was launched by the unveiling of a banner, depicting Lance Corporal Gerard L. Forrest, Jim's father and Second World War veteran.
Forrest said that for him, the annual poppy campaign is one of the most important events of the year. With First World War, Second World War and peacetime veterans in the family, he said for him it's central to remember those who fought for the generations to come and those that never came back, often dying very young. He hopes many people will join the campaign again this year, paying tribute to the veterans and all they've done, and while remembering, also supporting them.
Money from poppies distributed during the campaign for donations, go to a poppy trust fund and are dedicated to helping veterans through various programs the legion supports. Forrest added that just the other day they had someone reach out to them, and the poppy fund allows them to support veterans whenever the help is needed.
Trays with poppies will be available at many different businesses and organizations across the community, as well as at the legion. People can call the legion or Forrest personally if they would like to have a poppy tray at their organization or business.
The legion also has wreaths, which people can have laid in memory of their loved ones during the Remembrance Day ceremony at the cenotaph on Nov. 11.
Walmart, Â鶹´«Ã½AVern Plains Co-op and Canadian Tire in Estevan will also have machines, accepting credit and debit cards for donations, something the legion is doing for the first time this year.
Last year the Estevan branch was able to raise $33,000 through the poppy campaign. Forrest said that the times are tough now, but they still hope the community will support them and thus support the veterans, as they've always done before.
People are asked to wear a poppy until Remembrance Day.
