You may have seen them around the West Shore.
Volunteers standing outside groceries stores and local businesses, smiling to customers and passerbys, who receive donations in exchange for poppies B次元官网网址� a symbol of sacrifices not to be forgotten B次元官网网址� to be worn in the days leading up to Remembrance Day on Nov. 11.
The roughly 120 to 150 volunteers are part of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 91B次元官网网址檚 annual poppy campaign that kicked off the last week of October.
As part of the Friday ceremony, legion president Norm Scott presented the first poppy to Premier John Horgan at the Legion on Station Street. Colwood Mayor Carol Hamilton received the second poppy.
From there, volunteers fanned out across the western municipalities, with poppies and donation jars in hand.
Residents can give a donation and receive a poppy or are welcome to take a poppy for free.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 all by donation,B次元官网网址� said Scott, noting this is the LegionB次元官网网址檚 largest campaign of the year.
Funds raised go towards supporting veterans and families in need by purchasing food vouchers and medical equipment. And thatB次元官网网址檚 not all. All funds raised on the West Shore go back into the community. The Legion also uses the money to help community youth groups, such as cadets.
Last year, the Legion received roughly $87,000. While donations are a large part of the campaign, Scott said the most important thing is that children, youth, adults and seniors take the time to remember and honour those who fought to serve the country.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 all the point of active remembrance. If we donB次元官网网址檛 remember what happened yesterday, weB次元官网网址檙e not going to be able to remember whatB次元官网网址檚 going to happen for tomorrow and if we didnB次元官网网址檛 have yesterday, we wouldnB次元官网网址檛 be here today,B次元官网网址� said Scott, adding heB次元官网网址檚 noticed fewer people wearing poppies this year compared to previous years.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 worried the true meaning of remembrance is slipping away. It shouldnB次元官网网址檛 be slipping away.B次元官网网址�
Volunteers will be receiving donations until Friday, Nov. 10.
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