(image credit - CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

REMEMBRANCE DAY

Poppy campaign helps raise money to support Kamloops veterans

Oct 30, 2023 | 6:00 PM

KAMLOOPS — The poppy campaign is officially underway ahead of Remembrance Day on November 11. Last year, in Kamloops the campaign raised more than $100,000 dollars for local veterans and programs that support them.

You’ll see them stationed around Kamloops, helping raise funds and awareness for local veterans through donations for poppies, along with wreaths, wristbands and a new Indigenous pin. Every year, the campaign ensures we always remember those who served.

“It’s important that we educate everybody in Kamloops, because we still have people coming to us and say, ‘What does it mean?'” said Kamloops Legion President Daniel Martin. “Especially when you have people coming from overseas to study from TRU and they also work in the community. It happens quite often that we meet people that don’t know what the poppy is, what the legion does — so we have to educate people.”

All of the money donated to the poppy campaign — both for poppies or through larger donations from local groups like Surerus Murphy — stays in Kamloops to support veterans.

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“All the money that is donated through the poppy campaign stays with the branch. It’s what is called a trust fund. It’s managed by us, but all the funds are given to veterans programs,” added Martin.

Robert Hall spent 17 years in the Canadian army reserve, and now volunteers his time with the legion.

“I prefer to do it in the memory of the guys and girls who didn’t come back. I spent a lot of time walking the battlefield in western Europe and going through the cemeteries. I do it for them and I do it for the legion for raising money to look after veterans,” said Hall.

Ahead of Remembrance Day next Saturday, the simple act of wearing a poppy means and indescribable amount for veterans like Martin.

“To me personally, it warms my heart. That means people do care. And we serve this country not for ourselves but to help people, to make sure we remember the people before us that served, that we don’t forget that,” said Martin.