Legions across Canada are busy preparing for Remembrance Day with the annual poppy campaign being a critical part of the work.
Each year beginning on the last Friday in October and running until Nov. 11, veterans, volunteers, and legion members can be seen standing outside of local shops and stores collecting donations in exchange for poppies.
Once the money is tallied, it's held in trust through Veterans Affairs Canada where it can be accessed locally to assist veterans and their families in times of need.
Leave the Streets Behind, Veterans Transition Network, and Wounded Warriors Service Dogs are just a few of the programs the funds go towards.
"We also support our community veterans in times of crisis by possibly arranging housing by paying the first month's rent, medical devices such as dental, hearing aids, gift cards for food and gas," Sherrill Hyde, poppy chair for the Preston Legion Branch 126, said.
"With no community support, we can't support our veterans when they need help. No funds mean we can't donate to the different programs that exist to assist veterans to return to civilian life from military life."
Education on Remembrance Day and past wars is also discussed in schools, which Hyde believes is vital.
To assist, the legions hold a poster and literacy contest where students can submit drawings, poems or essays to be judged. The winners are awarded monetary prizes and the opportunity to advance to the branch, zone, district, provincial and Dominion Command competitions.
"This is important because if the knowledge isn't passed on to future generations, the sacrifices that our veterans made to maintain our freedom will be lost and forgotten history," she said.
Marina Hiltz, poppy chair for the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 121 in Galt, agrees about the significance of engaging the younger generations.
"It's something they're interested in," Hiltz said of her experience working with students.
"It's very important because we always try to get the younger people involved to remember this is how your freedom became, because of the sacrifices these people have made for us."
Sue Brent is the poppy chairperson for Royal Canadian Legion Branch 272 in Hespeler and she would love to see Remembrance Day become a statutory holiday so everyone would be able to pay their respects on the day.
While learning about it in school helps, being able to experience the ceremonies that happen at cenotaphs in the city would be meaningful, she believes.
"We have fewer kids the day of because they have to go to school," Brent said.
"When I was young they didn't, you got the day off. It's important they have knowledge of the wars and what the poppy campaign is about. We support our community."
The legions are always looking for volunteers and new members, which has been hard to recruit for, Hyde said.
It serves as one of the biggest challenges to running the campaign.
"There are numerous challenges to running a campaign including finding the volunteers to attend the stores to canvas," she said.
"Small stores sometimes refuse to take counter boxes because they don't know what the poppy stands for or they don't want to be responsible for someone stealing the box from their store."
Despite any obstacles, the legions are determined to honour and be there for current and former residents who have served in the Canadian Armed Forces.
"We're proudly dedicated to supporting veterans and providing a place where they can meet for fellowship and comradeship."
Poppy boxes are currently placed throughout the community.
