Legion branches across the country kicked off their respective Poppy Campaigns last Friday (Oct. 25).
Funds donated during the campaign support Veterans and their families.
Kathy Hobbs, president of the Lacombe Branch #79, said money raised locally also supports RCMP members and their families, in addition to other local initiatives. She notes the funds are held in trust by the Legion for distribution back into the community. Previous disbursements include high school bursaries, hospital donations, and exercise equipment for seniors.
The Lacombe Branch serves the City of Lacombe, in addition to the communities of Bentley, Clive, Blackfalds and places in between.
Hobbs says they started the campaign last Friday by presenting local mayors and reeves with poppies. Volunteers then hit the roads and distributed boxes of poppies to local businesses in the area. Volunteers will also be manning tables at the local grocery stores in Blackfalds and Lacombe.
The local Poppy Campaign raises between $40,000 and $60,000 annually.
"People in our communities are so generous," exclaimed Hobbs. "They're generous exclusive of the Poppy Campaign but many, many people came from this area and World War II. We saw many of the young men and women go off to war from here. You can tell that by the names of the streets and the descendants are still here. We are well known for our contributions to keeping peace in the world."
Hobbs noted that it's important for people to wear poppies in remembrance of those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
"It's a visual symbol of remembrance that we proudly wear here in Canada, and other countries throughout the world," she said.
The Lacombe Legion, which has over 300 members, will hosting a Remembrance Day Service on Nov. 11 at 10:30 a.m. at the Lacombe Memorial Centre. People are encouraged to come early, as thousands are expected to fill the LMC and overflow area.
"It's a simple, yet meaningful ceremony to honour the sacrifice," said Hobbs.
Membership to the Royal Canadian Legion is open to all Canadian citizens. You can click here to join or stop in at your local Legion branch.
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