The Royal Canadian Legion, Branch #47 here in Weyburn along with Legions throughout the country started their poppy campaign last Friday. A campaign that’s been commemorating veterans and their service and sacrifice for over 100 years by helping raise funds for local Legions.
Some may have seen poppy collection boxes pop up around Weyburn already, and people are encouraged to wear a poppy from now through Remembrance Day on November 11th to remember and honour those veterans' service and those who’ve paid the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms that we enjoy today.
Of course, you’re also encouraged to donate when you grab a poppy as those funds support Legions and programs that help veterans and their families. There are lots of new ways to donate too, with 1000 RBC branches throughout Canada receiving ‘Pay Tribute’ boxes that allow you to donate by tapping with your card or phone. Unfortunately, the RBC branch here in Weyburn does not have that, just the classic ‘coin slot’ collection box.
One of the newest additions to the poppy fund is called ‘Poppy Stories’ which Weyburn Legion’s Jerry Ponto explains, helps tell the story for those veterans who've served and allows those to appreciate those veterans who aren’t here with us.
“People can actually go to a site on their smartphone at www.poppystories.ca and once that site comes up, you'll be given an opportunity to scan the poppy you're wearing, and it will bring up a historical story about a soldier that served during wartime. It's kind of a neat feature and again, it gives people a little bit more of an appreciation of who these people were and these stories that come from all across the country.”
Make sure to pick up your poppy at the many collection boxes throughout Weyburn and show your visual pledge for those who’ve sacrificed so much for our freedoms and liberties. The Weyburn Legion also has many events running over the next few weeks, including their banner project and a Ukrainian supper this Friday.