The first poppy was handed out on Oct. 27 to Sidney mayor Steve Price, which marks the start of the Royal Canadian Legion’s annual poppy campaign.
Andy Anderson, chair of the local poppy campaign, said that the poppy trust fund supports veteran’s initiatives at the Saanich Peninsula Hospital, the Veterans Memorial Lodge at Broadmead, PTSD support and more.
There are approximately 50,000 poppies being distributed on the Peninsula this year. A mailout of 22,000 is done by volunteers stuffing envelopes. Canvassers go to businesses around the Peninsula, and store-sitters in major malls. They have about 70 volunteers in total, but Anderson said they “never have enough.”
Price said that he “can’t thank the Legion enough” for their support of veterans causes. All three of Price’s sons received bursaries from the Legion when they were in high school.
The Saanich Peninsula Legion Branch #37 is on 2393 Beacon Ave. and open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. They sell wreaths at cost, and they are responsible for the Remembrance Day ceremony at the Sidney Cenotaph.
reporter@peninsulanewsreview.com
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