2025 Poppy Campaign

Poppy Protocols   History of the Poppy/In Flanders Field   Honouring & Remembering

Pat Lomenda, 2024 Poppy Chair

Jim Wood, Co-Chair

poppycampaign@rcl285.ca

Starting in the spring. the Poppy Committee gets started on this campaign.

It requires over 100 volunteers, from our Branch, to go around to businesses and schools to drop off poppies, keep them stocked and pick up money and leftover poppies, or be a speaker at schools.

The official start is the last Friday of October, when the Governor General is given a poppy to pin above their heart.

Poppies are given out and a donation is appreciated.

Poppies became the symbol of Remembrance because of the poem, In Flanders Field, by Canadian Doctor, John McCrae in 1918.

As part of the Poppy Fund, monies are distributed to Legions on an as needed basis, by request to help Veterans and their family. Veterans can apply for assistance, through the Alberta Poppy Fund via the Branch Service Officer, for financial assistance.

Among other things, the Poppy Fund helps pay for our annual Veterans Lunch and Dinner in October.

In order to have another successful campaign for Legion Branch #285 for this year, we will need dedicated volunteers at all levels before, during and after Remembrance Day. We are overwhelmed with the incredible outpour of supportive volunteers for 2025.

If you are interested in being part of the Poppy Campaign; please contact Pat Lomenda 

The 2025 Poppy Campaign in Poster, Literary & Video Competition: 

Our branch supports over 110 schools through the Poppy Campaign. Over the years we've had many successful entries for this competition. This year, the Competition deadline will be November 18, 2025. We will conduct branch level judging on Tuesday, November 22, 2025. We are looking for volunteers, past and new, to help with this judging. This will be conducted at the branch. Please reach out to Joanne Wood trinnilady@yahoo.com or Pat Lomenda poppycampaign@rcl285.ca with your interest & availability for November 22, 2025. 

Our first week of poppy distribution will be busy. The poppy desk volunteers will be busy answering questions, and poppy supplies for pickup. The runners we have are making sure that supplies are being taken to the places that cannot come to pickup at the Legion. 

The cadets have been scheduled for Chinook and Southcentre Malls for both of the weekends. 

Area captains and tagger volunteers will be distributing their poppies. The nursing homes will have all of their supplies. 

Thank you all for volunteering for a cause that benefits our veterans. Lest We Forget!

Here's to a successful campaign!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:
Taggers: 

attend assigned/ designated retail locations with provided supplies  (ie, cans, poppies, stickers) for public donations.

Sign up with Team Lead Megan DiBella
Scheduled hours are of your choice ie: number of hours, days and location.

Supplies are to be picked up prior to each shift and returned to the Poppy Desk at the Legion

Area Captains:

Some retail areas need coverage for the 2025 campaign. The roles that are required are filled by Area Captains. Area Captains distribute, check and replenish supplies that are left at the retailers in their assigned area. Cans that are collected during the campaign are returned for processing at the Legion. All supplies are returned to the Legion at the end of the campaign. If you are interested, contactTeam Lead, Pat Kehler. This position is open for 2026 - Pat is willing to train - contact Pat Lomenda)

Nursing Homes:

The Team Lead is Yvonne Giffen. She will need help with the delivery and pickup at the many nursing homes in our area during the campaign.

Volunteers:

There will be Volunteer sign up sheets on the billboards near the Lotto Booth in September. Please fill out the sheets and you will be contacted by the Poppy Committee. Thank you in advance.

The Poppy Campaign officially starts October 31, 2025 when the Governor General will receive her poppy. We will have the Poppy Desk open here at the legion starting October 28. 

Poster & Literary Project

Teachers looking for application forms and information,
please see the website (legion.ca) Team Lead: Joanne Wood.

Visit the VOLUNTEER PAGE to see the full listing for Poppy Volunteers.