The annual Poppy Campaign which benefits local veterans officially kicked off in Chilliwack – and across Canada – on Friday (Oct. 25).
Continuing the tradition, Chilliwack Mayor Ken Popove was the first to have the red flower of remembrance pinned on him by Krista Smith, president of the Royal Canadian Legion Chilliwack-Vedder Branch 295, at All Sappers' Memorial Cenotaph in Vedder Crossing.
The money from the campaign stays in Chilliwack and helps pay for housing and gift cards for veterans, bursaries for high school students who have a military thread, and more.
Last year, about $90,000 was raised in Chilliwack.
In addition to the usual locations to buy a poppy, such as storefronts, this year legion members and volunteers will be at Five Corners (at public artwork 'Meetcha at the 5') in downtown Chilliwack each weekend leading up to Remembrance Day.
Smith said they've been trying for a while to bring the Poppy Campaign to, or near to, District 1881.
"We are finally going to have a presence there," Smith said with a smile.
Royal Canadian Legion's national Poppy Campaign begins on the last Friday of October and runs until Remembrance Day. Folks can expect to see poppy boxes around town from now until Monday, Nov. 11.
For more, go to legion.ca/remembrance/the-poppy-campaign. To see a variety of poppy- and remembrance-themed merchandise, go to poppystore.ca where proceeds from sales also go towards Canadian veterans.
