Despite some concern about how a pandemic-era poppy campaign would turn out, local Royal Canadia Legion officials are very happy with the 2020 campaign. And showed it on Saturday.
The 2020 Poppy Campaign raised close to $100,000 through donations from local residents and businesses alike last year.
On Saturday, the Barrie legion on St. Vincent Street had a small, socially distanced ceremony where a cheque worth $20,000 was presented to the four local Cadet Corps.
The 102 (Barrie Silver Fox) Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron, the 2919 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corp, the No. 53 Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps and the No. 24 Navy League Chambly recived $5,000 each and are being called the future by Poppy Campaign chairman Fern Taillefer.
“We wanted to make sure these kids got the money they get every year from us, regardless of the situation in the world,” said Taillefer. “If it wasn’t for COVID-19, they would have been out there collecting money for the veterans like they always do.
"These are future leaders of our country and we need to help them get there," he added.
Taillefer admitted he was taken aback by the amount they were able to raise, but not at how the community responded.
“The amount raised was a pleasant surprise, being we couldn’t get the volunteers to the stores with the boxes. But seeing how the residents and businesses responded was not a surprise,” said Taillefer. “We have always seen wonderful support from the community and this was a great example of that.”
The money raised this past year, combined with some left over from the year before, will help veterans through different organizations including bursary programs, the Hospital Fund, service dogs, and anti-homelessness programs for veterans.
