Dear editor,
Every year volunteers distribute poppy boxes to businesses and schools to collect money for our Poppy Campaign.
Businesses in our town that allowed us to place our poppy boxes around to collect the donations and all the service groups, schools, and businesses that purchased wreaths and all those who donated to our poppy campaign helped us raise $11,831.91.
This money is used to help out local veterans in our town and the province for those in need.
The campaign would also not be possible without all the volunteers who distribute and collect poppy boxes and count the money.
In past years, we have donated to the air cadets, given bursaries to graduation students whose parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent served in the armed forces of Commonwealth countries or allies, and purchased special medical equipment for veterans in need.
Any money that is spent has to be approved by our district and provincial command.
We also host a special veterans luncheon for our veterans on Decoration Day.
Special comforts are also provided for veterans and their widows at Christmas. We do our best to keep track of all the veterans and their needs in our community.
If anyone knows of a veteran or their spouse who is in need of help, please make a request to the Ponoka Legion Branch 66, 3911 - Hwy. 2A, Ponoka, AB.
The postal code is T4J 1J8. These requests can be made to the attention of the service officer or the poppy chair.
You may also contact us at 403-783-4076.
Every year the Poppy Fund also supports a poster and a literary program for all students.
Entries are judged at the branch level and the top three go to the district level, then onto the provincial level, and eventually to the dominion level.
Monetary prizes are awarded at each level.
- Submitted by Ponoka Legion Branch No. 66