Local poppy campaign begins in region ahead of Remembrance Day
With all of the conflict that is taking place in the world and all of the conflict that has taken place in order to keep our country free, the contribution of Veterans and current service members to our way of life cannot be overlooked. In order to show support for our local Veterans ahead of Remembrance Day residents are invited to contribute to the poppy campaign and wear a poppy.
Wayne Bird, the Selkirk Legion’s Poppy Officer, says that this is a campaign that has been put on by the Legion for many years.
“It’s a way that we can raise funds to help Veterans and the whole community. A lot of times we help buy stuff at hospitals or nursing homes that we need, not only for the vets but community members as well,” he said.
Donations collected during the Poppy Campaign are held in Trust at the branch level to directly support Veterans and their families within their community and to help ensure Canadians never forget.
Bird says that in the past the hospital, nursing homes and others have all received funding. A recent project that has helped out the Legion has been upgrades to their washrooms to ensure that they are all accessible.
“Our next project coming up that we’re going to be doing is making sure that all the doors [have push button door openers] upstairs and downstairs to make everything more accessible,” said Bird.
He says that these changes are important in our community as people get older.
“Our population is aging and you get more and more [people with disabilities], not only the Veterans, but anybody that wants to attend stuff. It makes it easier for people,” said Bird.
He believes that it just makes sense that so many people in our community continue to support this campaign year after year.
“Anything that can support anybody that protected our freedoms and our system of government should be looked after, as best as you can, without anybody really coming in and twisting your arm to do it. This should be automatic,” said Bird.
Bird thanks residents who have supported the poppy campaign over the years and hopes that they will continue to support it this year.
“I’m very proud of Selkirk and the surrounding community. They support us very well. I’ve got no complaints with the support that’s been happening over the years since I’ve been doing it and that’s five or six years now,” said Bird.
