Fernie Legion launched the start its annual Poppy Campaign on Oct. 25, in preparation for Remembrance Day.
Legion president Jennifer Cronin presented Deputy Mayor Ted Shoesmith with a poppy at the Cenotaph, to kick off the start of a public campaign to support local veterans.
Poppies will be available at Independent and Save-On Foods grocery stores and at the Legion starting on Oct. 26. They will be available at Ghostrider home games leading up to Remembrance Day as well.
The Legion will also be selling wreaths to be presented at the Cenotaph during the Remembrance Day ceremony.
Proceeds from sales will go towards supporting local veterans and their families. Cronin said money helps fund health supplies for veterans like walkers, wheelchairs and glasses, and also provides military families with a bursary for post-secondary graduates.
The Legion will be bringing back its tap and pay method of collection for the second year in a row, allowing locals to pay for poppies by card rather than with change. Cronin said the tap machines actually increased the amount of money the Legion made in 2023, rounding up $14,600.
Fernie's Remembrance Day ceremony will be held on Nov. 11. There will be a parade from the Legion branch at 551 1 Ave. to the Cenotaph outside the Fernie Courthouse at 401 4 Ave., starting 10:30 a.m. A Cenotaph ceremony will follow.
Majors Rick and Jennifer Robins with the Salvation Army will be leading Remembrance Day at the local schools and a few Legion members will be going to Rocky Mountain Village to do a service there.
To purchase a wreath, phone Poppy Chair Mary Jane Soetaert at 250-423-0634.
