Poppy campaigns kick off in Calgary

A local legion hopes its annual fundraiser will raise six figures in donations to support Canada’s veterans.

On Saturday, Royal Canadian Legion Centennial Calgary Branch 285 officially launched its poppy campaign near the time capsule at Chinook Mall.

“And to lay wreaths for all the fallen soldiers, airmen and sailors who gave their lives so that we can enjoy the freedoms we have today,” said Joey Bleviss of Branch 285.

Receive national news daily

Receive the day’s top news, political, economic and current affairs features, delivered to your inbox once a day.

The legion’s Joey Bleviss says there is a great need for support this year for returning soldiers “suffering from PTSD” and the hope is that legions in Calgary will raise $1 million.

Bleviss says it hopes to raise about $1 million in Calgary.

“It helps us provide them with prosthetics for the injured, food supplies, shelter and medical assistance. These are all serious needs, and that applies not only to the veterans, but also to their families,” says Bleviss.

According to the Legion, the poppy is traditionally worn from the last Friday in October through Remembrance Day and has been a national sacred symbol of remembrance since 1921 and was inspired by the poem In the Flemish Fields, written by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae in 1915.

This year’s poppy campaign runs until November 11.

&copy 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.