The Royal Canadian Legion is preparing for its National Poppy Campaign, which launches this Friday.
Jack Clayton is the executive director of the Royal Canadian Legion’s New Brunswick Command.
Clayton said the rollout will look pretty similar to last year with “very limited participation” due to COVID-19.
“The big-box stores are allowing us in this year. Last year, we were not allowed in for volunteers to sit there with tables,” Clayton said in a phone interview this week.
But the goal now, according to Clayton, is to find enough volunteers to work at those tables. The COVID-19 pandemic has meant the Legion has fewer people to lend a hand than usual.
“We do not have the Cadet units working with us this year, same as last year, they weren’t permitted,” said Clayton.
“Our older members are a little leary of sitting out in the public for the two or three hours, whatever their shift is that they volunteer for.”
Clayton said you do not need to be a member of the Legion to volunteer for the campaign. All you need to do is contact your local Legion branch to express your interest.
In addition to poppy tables, Clayton said they also have poppy trays set up at private and public businesses. The main goal is to distribute poppies to everyone, whether or not they are able to make a donation, he said.
“A lot of people are under the impression we sell the poppies, we do not. The poppies are strictly a donation,” said Clayton.
All funds donated locally help support veterans and their families, along with other causes in the community, such as bursaries, supporting Cadet corps, and maintaining monuments at cenotaphs.
Clayton said there is also a new way people can make a donation to the National Poppy Campaign this year. Officials say “Pay Tribute” tap and pay boxes will be distributed to 1,000 locations across the country.
“They could use their debit or credit card to make a $2, $5 or $10 donation toward the Poppy campaign,” said Clayton.
All of the donations will be used in the community where they were made, he said.
