The Paris Independent
8
November 4, 2023
R E M E M B R A N C E D AY Flag raising ceremony signifies start of Poppy Campaign 2023 By Casandra Turnbull A flag raising ceremony at the Paris Legion on October 27th signified the start of the 2023 Poppy Campaign. Committee members from Branch 29 Legion made sure the Poppy donation boxes were placed in as many Paris businesses as possible where they will remain out until Remembrance Day on November 11th. Last year’s Poppy Campaign raised $21,000 locally. The funds raised go directly to the Legion’s work to assist Canadian Veterans and their families and some of the funds are distributed to various education bursaries the Legion supports in this community. The Legion donates to the Homeless Veterans Fund, the Legion Bursary Fund, the Legion Charitable Foundation and the District B Hospital Fund. An example of supporting local veterans, Branch 29 President Donald MacLeod shared that branch members are currently supporting an 81 year old veteran who has numerous ongoing
medical appointments in London In the last year or so, said and the funding helps volunteers MacLeod, about 15 younger get her to and from all veterans have joined the Paris appointments. Legion and it’s a welcome sight, he added. Locally, the Paris Legion has 37 active members who served If you’d like to support the local whether it was the Korean War or Legion, purchase your poppy at in Afghanistan, the veterans all any supporting Paris business or range in age. Years ago, the local drop by the Legion at 70 William membership boasted a number of Street to get one. Lest We Forget World Ward 2 veterans, but as the signs are on order will be in soon years march on, the shape of the so you can call the Legion (519Legion’s membership is changing. 442-3788) to reserve one. You can also visit the Royal Canadian Legion Poppy store “We do a pretty good job of trying online to purchase your to recruit veterans,” explained merchandise and support Veteran MacLeod. “We’ve been reaching affairs. out trying to get more of them to come to the Legion.”
