An estimated 16,000 poppies are on their way to schools and businesses in Martensville, Warman, Rosthern and other communities across the region this week.
Volunteers with the Duck Lake Legion Branch Number 246, led by Poppy Campaign co-chairs Denis and Rachelle Poirier, are working to get the iconic crimson lapel flower into the hands of residents ahead of Remembrance Day next month.
“Wearing a poppy is the most visible and most important way of showing your respect and gratitude for those who made the ultimate sacrifice,” said Denis Poirier. “We should never take our freedom for granted. Many people paid a very high price and we should never forget that.”
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the poppy’s official adoption in Canada as a national symbol of remembrance for the Canadian men and women who gave their lives during military service around the world. Funds raised through the Poppy Campaign support programs for veterans and their families.
The Royal Canadian Legion’s annual Poppy Campaign officially kicks off on Thursday, October 28 with the presentation of the first poppy at Government House. Saskatchewan Lieutenant Governor Russ Mirasty and his wife Donna Mirasty are slated to receive the first poppies of the campaign by Royal Canadian Legion Saskatchewan Command President Keith Andrews.
The Lieutenant Governor and his wife will in turn present poppies to Margaret Schaffer and Tom Jenkins, the niece and nephew of Lance Corporal Morgan Jones Jenkins, who was killed in the 1918 Battle of Arras and whose remains were only recently identified.
Since 2013, the Duck Lake Legion, the only remaining Legion branch between Prince Albert and Saskatoon, has taken on the task of supplying poppies to school and businesses in area communities.
“It’s a big territory,” said Denis Poirier. “We have Duck Lake, Beardy’s Cree Nation, Rosthern, Hague, Osler, Warman, Martensville, Waldheim and Laird.”
Poirier said the COVID-19 pandemic not only put a damper on the Legion branch’s annual Remembrance Day service in Duck Lake, it has complicated the distribution of poppies.
“It’s a more time-consuming process than usual,” he said. “We have to wear N-95 masks and gloves; we have to be fully vaccinated to deliver this year, and we have to use sanitizer after every drop-off.
“I understand why the measures are needed and I support having them in place. But it does add a lot of extra hours.”
The Poiriers have been spearheading the Duck Lake Legion’s Poppy Campaign since 2013. In the first couple of years it included Duck Lake and Beardy’s. But when the Rosthern Legion branch folded, they picked up the torch and expanded the campaign.
“The official kickoff to the campaign is always on a Friday,” said Poirier. “But we start a day early, on Thursday, so that we can get the poppies into the schools in the area first. We deliver to businesses the next day.”
The Poiriers have help from other members of the local Legion branch.
“If we didn’t have their help, it wouldn’t be possible,” he said. “A couple years ago, we made an appeal for volunteers, and several people stepped forward to help. We really appreciate all they do.”
Poirier said the quantity of poppies increases every year, primarily because the number of business outlets willing to distribute the poppies is growing. They deliver poppies to 175 locations, with Warman and Martensville accounting for 90 of those drop-off points.
“Last year we delivered about 15,500 poppies, and we ran out and had to order more,” said Poirier. “This year, we increased our supply to 16,000.”
They noted the Duck Lake Legion branch has Remembrance Day wreaths and crosses available for sale to businesses in the area.
“We can supply them at cost,” said Poirier.
While the work of delivering and collecting poppies at the beginning and end of the campaign takes about a week, the couple spend countless hours over the course of the year coordinating the local campaign efforts with the Dominion Legion office.
Poirier said funds raised locally are earmarked for area veterans and their families.
“Last year we took in close to $12,000,” said Poirier. “I was a little surprised because I thought it would go down because of the pandemic. But it seemed like people were more generous.”
He said poppy funds have provided upkeep for veterans’ sections in area cemeteries; bursaries for children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of veterans; assisting veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder; long-term care homes where veterans are residing; and other projects. Poppy funds cannot be used for Legion branch operating expenses.