Legion expects more poppies to be given out this year

The poppy had a good season during its centennial year.

Diane Robson, chair of the Saskatoon poppy campaign, says the campaign is just starting to wrap up, and seems to have gone a bit better than last year as of now.

Around 200,000 poppies are usually given out in Saskatoon and surrounding towns. A longer-than-normal campaign — almost a two-week span beginning on Oct. 29 — might’ve helped with distributing more of the red floral pins.

“Of course COVID this year and last year has been different,” Robson said.

For one, the campaign had to cut tables back for the second year, from about 30 in 2019 to 12 this year.

“Part of that’s attributed to just not being able to get volunteers plus the restrictions that we had on where we could put tables, especially last year,” Robson explained.

But this year, the campaign still had about 250 volunteers citywide sitting at tables, driving routes and handing out poppies at hockey games and displays.

A new feature, the “Pay Tribute” machines, allowed donations to be made in a new way for 2021 — by card.

“I think they’ve been accepted fairly well from the public from the feedback I’m getting from the people that are sitting at tables,” Robson said. “People are going by and saying, ‘Oh, now you have tap,’ digging out their card and going that way with it.”

Robson estimated about 12,000 poppies are left in her office, about what would be normal near the end of the campaign. However, Robson said she won’t know until all the leftover poppies are returned at the end of the campaign.

“But we’re still getting calls this morning from businesses saying, ‘We’re out of poppies,’ (and asking) can we bring them more poppies, so that’s a good sign,” she said.

Poppies that are left over after Remembrance Day are added to inventory for the following year.

“I’d just like to thank the public for all their help in the campaign, for their donations,” Robson said.

New design popular

A brand new poppy style was created this year commemorating the 100th anniversary of the first-ever poppy design.

Chad Wagner, the executive director of the Saskatchewan Command with the Royal Canadian Legion, confirms the newly designed material created for the 100th anniversary will continue to be used going forward.

“The one that we use now is the red petals with the black center,” Wagner said on The Greg Morgan Morning Show. “It used to be a few different things, but these are the ones we will be using on a go-forward basis.”

Wagner said he has noticed many more people on the streets proudly wearing the poppy compared to past years.

“Honestly, I’m seeing a trend of more poppies hitting the public,” Wagner said. “I’ve actually brought in more poppies this year than I ever have and I had to go and (look) for some more at the last minute.”

Whether it’s the new flourishing poppy that’s sweeping the nation or an old-style poppy, there’s only one reason why Canadians wear it.

Wagner says it’s all about showing respect to those who served and continue to serve for our freedoms.

“Our main purpose is to get people to wear the poppy. We ultimately want people to understand where our freedoms came from and thank those who sacrifice for those freedoms,” Wagner said.

Proceeds of the poppy sales go toward a great cause that stays in the community.

“All the funds that are raised within the community goes to the local branch. That money will end up getting used towards helping veterans and their families throughout our various programs that we have,” Wagner said.

The funds are used to help past veterans for their service, as well as present service members who continue to make sacrifices.

Right now, mental health is one of the biggest issues that the Legions are focusing on, according to Wagner.

“Our main demand is the more present modern-day veterans,” Wagner said. “We want to continuously raise awareness for the current aspects.

“It’s not just someone without an arm, it’s now the more dubious problem which is something that’s in the mind, which is something that’s a lot harder to rectify these days.”

— With files from 650 CKOM’s Dallas Dahlseide