Following the recent tragedies in Quebec and Ontario, which claimed the lives of Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent and Cpl. Nathan Cirillo, the phones have been ringing off the hook at Calgary’s Poppy Fund offices.
According to Joey Bleviss of the Calgary Poppy Fund, the organization has been flooded by calls from people wanting to make early donations to the poppy fund campaign, while others are looking for poppies to show their support for Canada’s veterans and current members of the Armed Forces.
Traditionally, poppies are not available until the last Friday of October but the overwhelming demand for the symbolic flowers has prompted calls to move the date forward so Canadians can begin to show their solidarity immediately.
“People are feeling a little bit more sympathetic, and empathetic, and they would like to start early but, unfortunately, that’s not my call,” said Joey Bleviss.
The Dominion Command of the Royal Canadian Legion in Ottawa determines when the poppy campaign starts. 800,000 of the poppies are boxed and ready for transport to stores and legions around Calgary, but organizers require a green light from Ottawa before poppies will be available at retail outlets. .
The original 2014 poppy fund goal for Calgary is $2 million. Organizers believe, given the recent outpouring of support for Canadian soldiers, they will easily surpass their initial fundraising target.
For additional information, contact the Calgary Poppy Fund at 403-265-6304
