November 11 is about Canadian military valour and sacrifice recognized by the annual Remembrance Day service. Can you help?
Every year, during the last week in October and leading up to Remembrance Day, our veterans humbly call upon our fellow citizens to join with them.
They ask fellow Canadians to join in honouring Canadian military valour and sacrifice by wearing a poppy.
This small gesture of respect means more than you know to those who have served.
To a veteran, it represents the loss of their comrades and the sacrifice to restore dignity and freedoms to those who suffer under military conflict.
To our men and women in uniform of today, it means respect for the significant contributions of Canada’s military in honouring our international responsibilities.
To a family who has lost a loved one, it softens the heartbreak knowing that others revere and pay tribute to a life given serving in the cause of peace.
Year after year, it is gratifying to see how many businesses take a leadership role in supporting our veterans and the annual Poppy Campaign.
Reasons may vary but it all comes down to our shared Canadian beliefs and values in caring for our fellow Canadian—this is just what The Royal Canadian Legion’s Poppy Campaign does.
We know local business and corporate partners like to help us in our endeavours, and this year we are asking you to join in our campaign of honour and respect.
How can you help?
Help organize a poppy campaign within your organization with the assistance of your local Legion branch.
Promote remembrance and the poppy campaign on your company website.
Make a monetary donation to your local Legion branch Poppy Campaign.
Encourage your employees to volunteer with your local Legion branch, helping out with the Poppy Campaign. Can you match their volunteer time with a paid hour?
Plan a commemorative ceremony in your business foyer with employee participation.
Lay a wreath at your community Remembrance Day ceremony. Contact your local Legion.
Promote the Text-to-Give Campaign Text the word “poppy” to 20222.
In supporting the poppy campaign, corporations and businesses are in a position to set a standard of excellence for others to emanate. They recognize that Canadian prosperity and peaceful co-existence are largely attributable to the selfless sacrifices of generations past.
And in return, all that is asked of us as a citizenry is to wear a poppy and remember. Call your local Legion Branch and ask how you can help.
Ron LeRoy is the Kelowna Royal Canadian Legion branch 26 Poppy Campaign chairman.
