Poppy campaign gets started Friday

“Beyond that, we would also support care facilities where our veterans reside, and I can tell you that we veterans residing in all of the care facilities in our communities.”

She noted that the local Legion has supported the Edith Cavell Care Centre in Lethbridge with their therapeutic bike and the Sunny South Lodge in Coaldale with slings for their resident lift.

“A project undertaken by the good samaritans in both Magrath and Park Meadows was their dementia cottages’ door wraps and these are to differentiate the resident room doors to make wayfinding easier for them. Those are some of the things we’ve used funds for,” she added.

Funds also go towards the Legion’s Poster and Literary Contest, an initiative to get youth involved and teach them about the importance of remembrance.

Youth are invited to submit artwork or literary works that honour veterans.

Local winner submissions from last year’s Poster and Literary Contest (Lethbridge News Now)

At the provincial level last year, Hami Kim of Immanuel Christian Elementary School placed second in the colour poster (junior) category.

Kayleigh de Boer of Coaldale Christian finished second in the black and white poster (junior) field. Coaldale Christian’s Marietta Van Middelkoop came in second in the senior essay category.

“We [also} do an annual visit to veterans at Christmas time and we support that through the poppy fund as well. Last year we were out seeing about 149 individuals, spending time with them and hearing their stories, things like that,” McIntosh said.

“One other thing that we do with the funds particularly is sponsor a veteran benefits seminar, so veterans can come and learn about the benefits their entitled to…and then they connect with folks that are able to help facilitate any claims that they might have through Veteran’s Affairs.”

The poppy campaign culminates with Remembrance Day on November 11.

Various items available at the Legion (Lethbridge News Now)

McIntosh said the ‘visual kick-off’ of the campaign will be what they refer to as ‘Tag Day’.

Youth will be out all day Saturday, with Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, 4-H members, parents and other volunteers at different postings handing out poppies and collecting donations. In the afternoon, cadets will be at the booths.

“You’ll see Army, Navy, Air and Sea Cadets in locations. It’s very important to the Legion to foster the tradition of remembrance with our youth and that’s why we like to involve them, and they readily come out and volunteer their time that day.”

More than 430 boxes will be set up at locations in Lethbridge, Coaldale, Magrath, Raymond and Stirling.

Additionally, there will be a poppy flag raising at Lethbridge City Hall on Tuesday, November 5 at 11:00 a.m. to mark the start of Remembrance Week – the seven days leading up to Remembrance Day.

McIntosh said that on November 11, there will be two ceremonies in Lethbridge, organized by the Legion as well as other volunteer groups in the region.

The first ceremony will be at 9:45 a.m. at Exhibition Park, with the second taking place downtown following the conclusion of the first event.

by Justin Goulet

Poppy campaign gets started Friday

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