From Flanders Field To......Us

Poppies. This is the time of year when everyone is wearing a poppy.
We wear them as a gesture of our remembrance of men and women who have given their lives so that we can live ours in the freedom we take for granted.
However, the wearing of these poppies goes far beyond the thoughts and memories that they provoke.
As we drop our pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, loonies, toonies and bills into the collection boxes and pin the little red flowers over our hearts we should also be remembering the good our donations do for our community.
Carefully regulated by the Royal Canadian Legion, the Poppy Fund, established through our donations, gives to this community in a way that most of us never hear about.
In addition to the many, many ways this fund assists our veterans it also reaches farther afield. Our donations reach out to retired and currently serving members of the Armed Forces, their children and grandchildren through outreach and bursary programs. It can provide families with short term financial assistance. It helps the Meals-on-Wheels program and with transportation and comforts during hospitalization or long-term care needs.
Last year the Sheep River Health Trust received a $12,500 donation from this fund.
The start of the Poppy Campaign begins in Ottawa on October 26th with the Governor General being presented with the first poppy and then communities all across the country present poppies to their local dignitaries.
In Turner Valley poppies were presented to Turner Valley Mayor, Kelly Tuck; Longview Mayor, Ivor McCorquindale; Black Diamond Councillor, Mike Ross and Okotoks Councillor, Laurie Hodson.
Last year the communities within the Turner Valley Legion boundaries donated an amazing $38,000. Let’s all try to help raise a similar amount this year.
In addition to getting our poppies (one for each coat), we can help build this fund by donating to the Legion for a wreath to be laid during the Remembrance Day Service. There is a display of the wreaths that are available in the Legion Hall for members of the public to order from.