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Poppy Trust Fund: Supporting Canada’s Veterans
Poppy Trust Fund: Supporting Canada’s Veterans
Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser
Often times, thoughts of Canada’s Veterans come to mind during the Legion Poppy Campaign; but not a lot is known about how that fund is administered and what types of supports and services are available to Veterans past and present who have and are currently serving the country.
Legion Branch No. 39 President Terry Kuzyk, Service Officer Diane Lydom and Honour and Award Officer Rod Stewart provided valuable information in order to raise awareness for residents in Vegreville and surrounding areas.
Stewart said both the Legion and media don’t talk an awful lot about it. “Poppy money is public money held in trust by the Legion.” Kuzyk added, “The Legion is to distribute funds under specific rules in our general bylaws as to where the monies can go, how it can be distributed. It’s very strict and very controlled as to who can get it and why they can get it.”
Lydom pointed out that contributions to the Poppy Fund directly support Veterans and their families. It is interesting that, “There’s a very broad definition of Veteran. It used to be at one a Veteran was someone who had war time service, and now a Veteran is considered anyone who has served, completed their training and were released (discharged) other than dishonourable,” noted Stewart.
“We cover members of the RCMP, and many of them don’t understand they are considered Veterans by the Legion either. Case in point, my partner’s father who, for years said no I’m not a Veteran. He was a huge part of this Legion, however, he never considered himself a veteran because he didn’t think RCMP qualified, even though it was clearly stated, he just didn’t understand it to be the case,” noted Kuzyk.
Speaking to the importance of the Poppy Campaign and Poppy Trust Fund, Stewart pointed out, “The bulk of the funds stay local and we can use poppy money to provide something that’s for the betterment of the community if it also benefits Veterans. For example, we paid for the cost of a defibrillator for an ambulance when the Town was still operating an ambulance system. We’ve made donations to the hospital for specialized equipment. Local Service Officers have a small discretionary amount they can use to support Veterans on a one-time basis. We had a case in point. A Veteran was referred to a fairly distant hospital regarding a hip replacement surgery. We provided the transportation costs for that.”
Other examples include donations to the University of Alberta to purchase a rehabilitation chair support research, STARS air ambulance service, the local Veterans Luncheon and providing Christmas Comfort Packages.
As outlined, use of Poppy Trust Funds may be used for:
Grants for food, heating costs, clothing, prescription medication, medical appliances and equipment, essential home repairs and emergency shelter or assistance
Housing accommodation and care facilities
Funding for transition program that are directly related to training, education and supports
Comforts for Veterans and their surviving spouses who are hospitalized and in need
Veterans visits, transportation and day trips
Accessibility modifications to assist Veterans with disabilities
Educational bursaries for children, grandchildren and great grandchildren of Veterans
Support of Cadet units
“As part of the Poppy Trust Fund we have to report to the public how much was collected and where we distributed those funds,” said Kuzyk. Any funds that are not expended are carried forward to the next year. For example, in 2024 the Vegreville Legion Branch collected $22,000 in funds. But the amount varies between $14,000 and $18,000 on average.
Stewart pointed out that funds are restricted, and cannot be used for memorials or expenses of Decoration Day services. “They are to help living Veterans and get them direct support or community support that will benefit them.
Even if a person thinks it’s such a small thing to donate, it can be a game changer or improve quality of life for Veterans. It really does make a difference.”
