Pandemic restrictions will prevent Moose Jaw’s legion from conducting its typical poppy campaign in 2020, causing disappointment for outgoing poppy chairman Robert Travale.
“It’s a pretty unorthodox year,” remarked Travale, who has been the poppy chairman for the past four years, and at age 73, plans to step back and relax.
He pointed out that the entire campaign would be scheduled in normal times, and committee members would know when and where to do things. This year, everything is “out the window,” and they are taking things day by day.
“This year, we’re going to concentrate more on veterans who need funding,” he added, compared to regular years where funding would be given to the hospital or other community organizations.
The Royal Canadian Legion poppy campaign commences on Friday, Oct. 30. However, due to coronavirus limitations, Branch No. 59 has decided to forego the campaign this year and rely mainly on public support through online donations. Residents can donate via e-transfer to rcl59poppytrust@gmail.com or by cheque.
“Last year, we had more donations from the kind people of Moose Jaw,” said Travale. “We don’t expect to get anywhere near that (this year).”
The branch will distribute bags of bulk poppies to seniors’ homes, schools, 15 Wing and the Saskatchewan Dragoons. The legion will not distribute poppy trays to businesses, nor will cadets stand outside stores offering poppies.
Anyone who wants a poppy can pick one up at the legion office at 268 High Street West.
Organizing the poppy campaign has been a day-to-day process, while the campaign committee met weeks ago to discuss how it would go, explained Travale.
“You just expect something to happen. This is why we are being so very cautious about this … . I don’t want to risk the lives of my members or the (residents) of Moose Jaw. We pondered over this quite a long time.”
Restrictions from Dominion Command and the Saskatchewan Health Authority were also factors in how the committee approached the campaign.
“Dominion said we can’t use cadets for poppy day or seniors who are medically challenged,” he added.
The committee also decided not to give trays to businesses since a separate table would have been required to place them, while it would have been difficult for owners to disinfect the tray each time someone took a poppy.
However, the legion will erect the annual military display at the Town ‘n’ Country Mall from Oct. 30 to 31, from where residents can pick up poppies and make a donation.
The legion still plans to sell wreaths to businesses, families or friends who want to purchase one to lay in memory of a loved one or departed veteran. Interested buyers should contact the legion office by Monday, Oct. 26; payment can be made by credit card, cheque or e-transfer.
The wreaths should be placed between 12 and 4 p.m. on Nov. 11 at one of several locations, such as the Crescent Park cenotaph, the cenotaph at A.E. Peacock High School, the cenotaph in the veterans’ section at Rosedale Cemetery, at the Moose Jaw Cemetery, the wall at the centre drive at the Sunset Ceremony, or a grave marker of your choice.
