The launching of the 2020 Royal Canadian Legion National Poppy Campaign is marked innovatively with a pilot project to introduce new touchless donation boxes as well as the lighting of iconic landmarks in Canada. Millions of poppies will be distributed in both familiar and new locations across the country.
Thomas D. Irvine, CD, Dominion President of The Royal Canadian Legion, said that they would have more than thirty important partners this year, and traditional donation boxes at 25,000 locations. While they have had to make some changes due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there are several ways to donate and they are hopeful Canadians will respond as generously as they have always done.
A significant change will introduce new touchless donation boxes in cooperation with HSBC Bank Canada and there will be 250 Pay Tribute boxes across Canada, including in several Ontario Legion Branches, in most HSBC Bank branches, and in some select retail locations as well. The boxes will accept touchless donations without fee in two-dollar increments. Donors can take a lapel poppy they choose from the box, as they would from a traditional box.
In addition to traditional and electronic Pay Tribute boxes, donors can also donate online via Legion.ca. It is one of the Legion National Foundation’s projects.
Irvine added that Canadians showed a tremendous amount of gratitude each year and their fallen Veterans sacrificed for their freedoms and they would always be remembered by the others. Canadians support the Legion’s critical work through donations to the campaign in order to help make sure the well-being of serving Veterans. And they thanked them for their generosity.
The ceremonial start of the National Poppy Campaign for this year was held on October 16, with Julie Payette, Governor-General of Canada, accepting the First Poppy from Dominion President Thomas D. Irvine.
Funds donated across the country during the 2020 National Poppy Campaign are used to support Veterans and their families. Funds donated locally will stay local.