The annual poppy campaign is now underway ahead of Remembrance Day.

It is one of the biggest fundraisers of the year and Kamloops Legion – Branch 52 President Daniel Martin says all the money stays local and it is the only fundraiser that is targeted directly to veterans and their families.

“This is the most important one, and that’s why we make sure that we advertise it very well. That we tell people all the time they come down and see us and we explain to them what it’s for. So we always have time for discussion with anybody that can talk to us.”

Martin says there will be options for people to donate with their debit or credit card which is important to have in this day and age where fewer and fewer people carry any physical money with them. “It’s denominations of $2, $5 and $10 donation. People can use their debit card or their credit card and that is getting more and more popular.”

“We also have this year, which we had last year, Starbucks. If you go to Starbucks, they have their own system where they will ask you, ‘would you like to donate to the poppy campaign?’ And they add it directly to your bill. So it makes it a lot easier for people.”

Every year, from the last Friday of October to November 11, tens of millions of Canadians wear a Poppy as a visual pledge to honour Canada’s Veterans and remember those who sacrificed for the freedoms we enjoy today. While the Poppy is distributed freely to all who wish to wear one, the Legion gratefully accepts donations to the Poppy Fund.

The Kamloops Legion Poppy Office is located in Seymour Square, open Monday through Friday 9 am – 4 pm. Order wreaths and poppies at this location. Call 250-374-0623 to place your order. You can also donate here.