By Geoff Smith (@GeoffSmithLNN on Twitter)

Donations collected during poppy campaign helping veterans

Oct 31, 2017 | 11:12 AM

LETHBRIDGE – It’s a symbol of remembrance. But the donations that go hand-in-hand with poppies at this time of year are helping in many ways that people may not even realize.

“All the money that’s raised is used to support veterans and their dependents,” Pat McIntosh, the poppy committee chair for the Royal Canadian Legion General Stewart Branch No. 4, said in an interview. She explained the donations do not go directly to the Legion, but into a trust.

She added there are criteria that are set out by the Legion on how the money can be used to benefit veterans, either in individual or collective ways.

“For instance, we might support a veteran directly, who has urgent needs in the way of food, shelter, transportation, medications, things like that,” McIntosh explained. “It’s a short term support, that we then work to connect them with further benefits that they might be able to access through Veterans Affairs.”

Those funding requests are arranged through the Service Officer branch, which then brings them forward privately. Others go directly to the committee.

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“Things like a bladder scanner, a pressure mattress, tiltable shower chairs; all types of equipment that could be used for those who are in care facilities,” she said. Depending on the amount, a request may go to the district or provincial level for further review.

Other examples of donations at work include seminars for veterans, to illuminate the benefits available to them from the federal goverment; and the recent reconstruction of the Immortal Flame at Mountain View Cemetery. Funds also help cover the cost of the annual poster and writing contests for school children.

Youth groups were around Lethbridge Saturday, Oct. 28 offering poppies and collecting donations. For those who missed the chance to donate, poppy boxes are located in various businesses.

McIntosh stressed a donation is not required to receive a poppy.

“We provide a poppy to anyone who wants one. If someone chooses to make a donation we’re grateful to receive it.”