The Remembrance Day poppy campaign kicked off in Maple Ridge with the presentation of the first poppy to Mayor Dan Ruimy.
Ruimy accepted the poppy from Judy Ballard, past president of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 88 in Maple Ridge, on Tuesday, Oct. 21, at city hall.
New this year are poppy campaign chairs Brenda and Patrick Donoghue, who have been trying to fill 525 tagging shifts across Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows.
There are still 250 that need to be filled.
Legion Branch 88 in Maple Ridge is the largest legion in Canada with more than 2000 members, explained branch administrator Kathy Gallagher.
Last year the poppy campaign raised a little more than $79,500, money which went to initiatives supported by the Royal Canadian Legion like: emergency veteran help; the annual veterans dinner; legion service dogs; veteran care homes; bursaries for veteran children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren; the cadet corps; and community hospitals and care facilities.
Gallagher noted this year they have many non legion groups and individuals offer to help with the campaign.
Some of the community groups that have stepped forward include: youth hockey; youth soccer; air cadets; army cadets; sea cadets; community service groups, parents of youth, councillors from Pitt Meadows, the fire department, in addition to individuals who just want to help.
“It is wonderful to have so much support for our veterans from our community,” said Gallagher.
“November 11 is a day we remember what the veterans did for us and all the privileges we have today because of them. We must all show our appreciation for their sacrifices,” Gallagher added.
They are asking for people to step up and volunteer two hours of their time for the campaign.
Anyone interested can email: poppy@mapleridgelegion.ca.
Pitt Meadows Mayor Nicole MacDonald will be accepting the first poppy for the city during a presentation at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 5.