Mayor Gerald Aalbers (centre, right) was joined by Royal Canadian Legion Branch #39 members Sgt. at Arms Rick Mallett, poppy chair Elaine Mallett and president Vince Scott on Monday morning to officially kick off this year’s poppy campaign. Taylor Weaver Meridian Source
With Remembrance Day services quickly approaching, the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #39 officially launched this year’s poppy campaign to help fund veteran programming throughout Canada and close to home.
The campaign officially kicked off on Monday morning with the signing of a proclamation by Mayor Gerald Aalbers.
“It’s the kickoff of our poppy campaign; it’s the last Saturday of every October, so you’ll start to see us going out to the businesses we can get into and do a personal sale of poppies on the first day,” said Branch #39 president Vince Scott.
“We leave our poppy boxes at different locations after that, and Remembrance Day follows not long after.”
For campaign chair, Elaine Mallett, poppy sales go a lot further than many may think.
“You’re supporting Veteran’s programming through Veterans Affairs Canada, and some of that programming is right here in Lloydminster,” said Mallett.
“We’ve had troubled veterans, veterans in need, and through the Poppy Fund, they can apply for things like rent, if you’re destitute and things aren’t going well, we can provide groceries, those kinds of things. We also make sure they get access to veterans’ assistance through national programs.”
Poppys will be available for purchase throughout Lloyd until the annual Remembrance Day ceremony at Lloydminster Comprehensive High School on Nov. 11.
