While there will be major changes to the Remembrance Day ceremony this year because of COVID-19, people can still show their support through the annual poppy campaign.

Legion Past President Craig Thomson says the campaign will kick off at the end of this month, and he’s hoping people will still continue to wear poppies.

“The poppy campaign is just as much about Remembrance Day too. It’s the time where the Legion gets donations towards veterans programs in this community and in other communities around the province as well,” he said. “So just because there is not going to be something at Riverside Park, please support the poppy campaign as well.”

The campaign is an important fundraiser for the legion as it raises money for veterans programs.

“We’re having some of our older volunteers saying I’m not taking a chance this year guys, sorry. So the boxes may not be at as many locations as we have been in the past,” Thomson added. “However, we will have a poppy office open at 249 Seymour Street and people can always come in to the poppy office and find poppies and wreaths.”

“If there’s anyone in the community that would like to help out for a few hours during that 12 days of our poppy campaign, give us a call. We’d gladly accept volunteers to give us a hand when we already know that some of our volunteers just aren’t going to take a chance with the virus out there.”

As well, Thomson says he hopes people will still order wreaths through the Royal Canadian Legion, however, he notes because of COVID-19, the wreaths will be laid by Legion members at the Battle Street Cenotaph ahead of the Nov. 11 ceremony.

“This year, more than ever, veterans need your donations to the Poppy Campaign to continue, despite changes to the format of the Remembrance Day ceremony,” he added.

You can call the Poppy Office at 250-374-0623 or head online to the Legion website here for more details.