Poppy Campaign

Poppy of Remembrance

The Royal Canadian Legion Remembrance program commemorates the men and women who died in the military service of Canada during war and peace.  Many believe that maintaining the tradition of Remembrance is a sacred trust and the Legion’s most important role.  Ontario Command and its districts, zones, and branches commit thousands of volunteer hours each year to carry out the Remembrance activities.

 

The Poppy has been widely recognized as a symbol of Remembrance since it was first adopted in 1921.  By wearing the poppy, we demonstrate our gratitude to those who gave their lives for the freedom we enjoy.

 

Each year, from the last Friday of October to November 11, tens of millions of Canadians wear a Poppy as a visual pledge to honour Canada’s Veterans and remember those who sacrificed their all.  Legions throughout the nation carry out our Poppy Campaign.  The campaign raises awareness of the Poppy as a symbol of Remembrance.

The Poppy Campaign

The basic purpose of the Poppy Funds is to provide immediate assistance to ex-servicemen and women in need.  This may include food, shelter, or medical attention for them or their families.

Funds raised during the Poppy Campaign are also used for the following:

  • Educational Bursaries
  • Comforts for veterans in the hospital or hospitalized veterans
  • Community medical appliances
  • Medical research
  • Medical training
  • Donations for disaster relief for disasters declared by the Federal and Provincial Governments
  • Expenses of the Branch Veteran Services Chairman
  • Prizes for the annual Remembrance Day Poster and Literary (poem and essay) Contests
  • Legion service bureau offices
After expenses, such as the cost of poppies, wreaths, and other supplies are deducted, all remaining monies are placed in trust to be used for those purposes authorized in the General By-laws of The Royal Canadian Legion.  Campaign expenses are generally low because most of the work is voluntary.
 
The Legion’s constitution stresses that poppy funds must be held in trust.  They are held in a bank account separate from that of the branch’s general funds and cannot be used for any purpose other than those stipulated.
 
Any ex-serviceman or woman or dependant is eligible to apply for financial aid from the poppy fund, whether they are Legion members or not. 

2023 Campaign

We are very pleased to report that after the 2023 Poppy Campaign, the total amount of donations collected was $8,089.74.  These funds are used directly to honour and support our Veterans.  From this amount, in 2024 Branch 383 in Tara has made donations totaling $5000. You may view the full details in our report below.

 

Businesses and those in the community are still able to purchase a wreath for the 2024 Remembrance Day Service, which will be placed at the Tara Cenotaph during our service on 11 November 2024.  Order forms are available through the Branch.  Please contact us at 519-934-9992, 519-934-0157 or you can even drop by the Branch and we will have forms available at the bar.

2023 Poppy Campaign

Holten War Cemetery in the Netherlands, which contains the remains of over 1,300 Canadians