Nearly $50,000 will go to help local veterans. The Royal Canadian Legion Branch #54 raised between $45,000 to $50,000 through its Remembrance Day poppy campaign this year. Poppy Chairman Moe Morgan says that money will stay in the city and go towards helping veterans from all service branches.
“It goes to help the veterans regardless of where he or she lives. It goes into the Branch 54 Poppy Fund in Grande Prairie and then it’s distributed as we need through the poppy fund to veterans, RCMP or anybody that has a connection to the military.”
People with ties to the military in need of that assistance can apply in person at the legion. Morgan says some of that money may also be donated to places like the hospital for any new equipment that may be needed.
Poppy boxes were distributed to 500 business across the city starting on October 26th. Every year Morgan says the legion loses around six of those boxes, which is not uncommon.
“Every year we lose a few boxes. Maybe a half a dozen or so which is unfortunate but that’s life.”
Back in 2015, Grande Prairie RCMP received a number of reports about poppy donation boxes being stolen. A 23-year-old ended up being charged with three of those thefts.