Legion Launches 2016 Poppy Campaign

OTTAWA, Oct. 28, 2016 /CNW/ - Tens of thousands of volunteers from more than 1,400 Legion Branches took to the streets in their local communities all across Canada earlier today to launch the Legion Poppy Campaign.

"Last year, Legionnaires everywhere distributed more than 21 million Poppies and supporting materials.  From the 2014 campaign financial statements, $17 million was distributed to Veterans who live in your communities," says Dominion President of The Royal Canadian Legion, Dave Flannigan.

But Legion volunteers and cadets alike are not hoping to match last year's record achievements.  They want to surpass them.

That's the feeling expressed by Mary-Florence Bartley from Legion Branch #147 in Barrie, ON who says that she thinks it went swimmingly in 2015 and hopes to do even better in 2016.

Or that of Larry Lynch, who heads Legion Lancaster Branch #69, in Saint John, N.B., who hopes to see donations to the local Legion Poppy Fund set a new record for his Branch this year.

"This year, we hope that Poppies will be proudly worn by ALL Canadians between now and November 11^th," adds Flannigan.

If you would like to wear a Poppy and/or make a donation please contact your local Legion Branch and they will be more than pleased to help out. You can find your local branch using the Branch Locator feature on the Legion website – www.legion.ca.

SOURCE The Royal Canadian Legion Dominion Command

Image with caption: "Logo: The Royal Canadian Legion Dominion Command (CNW Group/The Royal Canadian Legion Dominion Command)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20161028_C5967_PHOTO_EN_798756.jpg

Bruce Poulin, at Dominion Command, The Royal Canadian Legion at [email protected], or at [phone] ext. 241, or by cell at [phone]