The Royal Canadian Legion’s 2022 National Poppy Campaign will officially begin on Friday.
Presentation of the first poppy and raising of the poppy flag will take place at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 445 Callander at 10 am.
The presentation will be made by Branch President Ron Devost and Poppy Chairs Fay Bayer and Maple McLaren; joining them will be veterans, members of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 445 Callander, the Colour Party, as well as representatives of Callander, East Ferris and Bonfield.
The 2022 Poppy Campaign starts tomorrow and will culminate with Remembrance Day services at the Callander Legion and newly renovated Callander Cenotaph (Peace Park) at 11 am, November 11.
In addition to donation boxes in local stores, tag days are scheduled for East Ferris, Bonfield, and Callander on Saturday, October 29th as well as Saturday, November 5. Local Veterans and Legion members will be outside a variety of businesses accepting donations to the poppy fund.
Traditional poppy boxes will still be used for cash donations and lapel poppy distribution; however, the Callander Legion will also have Tap Tribute Boxes available for digital donations.
The Legion’s Pay Tribute Poppy boxes will allow Canadians to donate $2, $5 or $10 with a simple tap of either a payment card (credit or debit), or a payment app on their smart device.
“This is one of the most important times of the year for our Branch," says Branch President Ron Devost. "All poppy funds collected remain local and are used to directly assist veterans and their families in times of need. For privacy reasons we do not disclose the names of those we assist, however, many veterans and their families throughout our area have received assistance.”
On November 11th, the Callander Legion Pipes and Drums, assisted by the North Bay Pipes and Drums, The Colour Party, as well as members of the Legion will parade along Veterans Way to the Callander Cenotaph for services at 11 am.
Legion Remembrance programs commemorate the men and women who died in the military service of Canada during war and peace. Maintaining the tradition of remembrance is a sacred trust and the Legion's most important role. The poppy has been widely recognized as a symbol of remembrance, since it was first adopted in 1921.
