Denis and Rachelle Poirier are hitting the streets this week, distributing thousands of Remembrance Day poppies to businesses in communities scattered across the Sask Valley area.
The husband-wife team are members of the Duck Lake Legion Branch Number 246. For many years, they’ve dedicated countless hours to ensuring the poppy campaign raises money to support veterans.
Denis Poirier said the COVID-19 pandemic has forced some serious adjustments to the poppy campaign, but it hasn’t stopped it.
“Oh, goodness, no,” said Poirier in an interview. “We’re still determined to get as many poppies distributed as possible. It’s a very important symbol of remembrance, and I think people appreciate being able to buy a poppy to show their respect.”
He said the red poppy symbolizes the blood shed in the cause of freedom, while the black centre represents the ultimate sacrifice of those who lost their lives during armed conflict.
“In some cases poppies will have a green leaf,” said Poirier. “The green symbolizes hope for the future.
“The poppy campaign is to honour veterans,” he added. “Those that went to war and especially those who lost their lives and those that came back injured. It’s a way of paying our respects.”
Poirier said while the official poppy campaign kicks off Friday October 30, they received permission from national Legion officials to begin distributing poppies on Thursday, October 29.
“We have between 150 and 170 locations to deliver the poppy boxes to,” said Poirier. “We call each one individually beforehand to line up the deliveries.
“Each year the number of businesses taking the boxes increases. But this year is a little different because some aren’t able to take them at all due to COVID-19 concerns.
“Affinity Credit Union, for example, is giving the Legion a lump sum donation in lieu of not being able to take poppy boxes.”
But, he added, the majority of small businesses are receiving the poppy boxes as usual.
The Poiriers have three helpers who distribute in Hepburn, Laird, Waldheim, Duck Lake and Beardy’s First Nation; but the couple handles the rest of the communities including Warman, Martensville, Hague, Osler, Dalmeny and Rosthern.
“It takes us two days to distribute them all,” said Poirier. “We have to follow very strict health guidelines. We use N95 masks, sanitize the money and the boxes.”
He said the poppy campaign typically is a major fundraisers for the Legion, both locally and nationally.
This year, he said, the local branch is feeling the pinch because it hasn’t been able to rent its facility.
Funds raised by the sale of poppies goes directly to help improve the quality of life of veterans and their families, said Poirier.
“The year before last, we made 30 backpacks for homeless veterans,” said Poirier. “A lot of veterans are homeless. At the present time, we’re sending money every year to train dogs for veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD.
“Some are blind or have other disabilities as a result of their experience in the service. We’re also giving money to the Sherbrooke Home in Saskatoon. They have a Veterans Section.”
Funds also go to pay the cost of educational bursaries for children and grandchildren of veterans.
“Most of the money goes to help improve the quality of life of veterans,” said Poirier. “But even after they pass away, the funds go to help maintain veterans’ cemeteries. There are three in the Duck Lake area alone.”