Poppy campaign will be different this year

An open letter to the Town of Claresholm, Town of Stavely, and Municipal District of Willow Creek.
The poppy campaign in 2020 is unique due to the COVID-19 pandemic which continues to impact all our lives. Dominion Command has declared, as of Aug. 28, 2020, that the poppy campaign will, as usual, commence on the last Friday in October and end on Nov. 11. Thus, the poppy campaign for 2020 will commence Friday, Oct. 30, 2020, and end on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2020.
Dominion Command has, however, declared that door-to-door solicitations should be avoided and that the provincial government and city/town restrictions must be adhered to. Therefore no Royal Canadian Legion volunteers from Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 41 will be delivering crosses, wreaths, and poppy boxes to your respective businesses throughout the M.D. of Willow Creek, the Town of Claresholm and the Town of Stavely on Friday, Oct. 30, 2020.
Over the years, the M.D. of Willow Creek, the Town of Claresholm, the Town of Stavely and their respective citizens, businesses, service clubs, schools and youth organizations have supported the poppy campaign whole heartedly. The Royal Canadian Legion Claresholm Branch No. 41 expresses their appreciation for this tremendous support whether it was through donations in which receipts were issued and/or donations in the poppy boxes. Last year, 2019, saw $5,455 raised, in which receipts were issued and $4,697.16 from poppy boxes. Currently the poppy account, which is held in trust for aid to veterans and their families, is at $33,857.74.
Due to the severity of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on all our lives – veterans, seniors, families, students, businesses, etc, the Royal Canadian Legion Claresholm Branch No. 41 will have poppies available at the branch during hours of operation – Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Those businesses who are able to, following health regulations and wish to have a cross, wreath or poppy box, should contact the branch at phone number 403-625-3755; fax at 403-625-3533; e-mail at RCLegion41@shaw.ca, or poppy chair Comrade Margaret Smith at 403-625-5278.
Royal Canadian Legion Claresholm Branch No. 41’s service and support of veterans and their families, as we know community support, will continue in 2021. This year we ask that all respective citizens take care of their own mental health and physical health and that of their respective families,
Margaret Smith, Poppy chair,
On behalf of Leonard Weiss, president and all members, Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 41,
Claresholm, Alta.