Poppy distribution may suffer due to lack of volunteers

LANGLEY (NEWS 1130) – It might be harder to find a poppy in Langley this November due to a dire lack of volunteers. There’s worry the Royal Canadian Legion won’t raise enough money to be able to do its work through the year.

Legion members are getting old and many of them aren’t driving anymore according to Poppy Chairman Wilma McEwen. “So we’re just reaching out to the public for some help to get our stuff out. I usually distribute about 900 boxes to the stores over the two weeks we need people to get them out where they need to be.” She says it’s a simple job. You take the box to a store and record its location so it can be picked up later.

There’s a shortage of younger volunteers as well. Cadets often help hand out pins outside stores. McEwen says cadets are a great help, but they’re usually only available on weekends. And there are fewer cadets around than there used to be. McEwen says they have 20 locations looking for people to man them and two or three people available to distribute poppies on weekdays.

The Remembrance Day poppy campaign is the Royal Canadian Legion’s main fundraiser of the year. McEwen says they’re worried they won’t come up with enough money to provide the services they usually do. “This is the money we use to help our veterans with whatever help they need. They might need medical supplies that are not covered by Medicare and numerous things. Some need help with groceries. Whatever comes up.”

McEwen says anyone wanting to help can drop by the legion at 20681 56th Avenue or call 604-534-3615.

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today