Red Deerians can honour and assist local veterans by wearing a poppy on their lapel during the national Poppy campaign.
The annual Royal Canadian Legion campaign kicked off with a two-day poppy blitz on Oct. 25 with poppies available at 12 Red Deer businesses.
Businesses that were part of the blitz included Sobeys north and south, SaveOn east and north, Coop in Timberlands and Deer Park, Bower Plaza, Independent Groceries, Walmart south, Home Depot, Canadian Tire north, and a donation tap machine was available Gasoline Alley Farmers' Market.
Veterans were on hand at the businesses on Oct. 25, and army, sea and air cadets attended the businesses on Oct. 26.
Following the blitz, poppies and donation boxes would be distributed to many more businesses for the campaign that runs until Nov. 11.
"We're pretty well covered throughout Red Deer," said Kay Born, poppy chairperson and 1st vice-president with the Red Deer Legion.
Volunteers will regularly check on the boxes to refresh the poppy supply and collect donations.
Born said about 60,000 poppies were available to start the local campaign that raises money to help veterans and their families in need.
Mayor Ken Johnston has proclaimed Nov. 5 to 11 as Veteran's Week in recognition of the incredible efforts of the Royal Canadian Legion in supporting the National Poppy Committee's mission to raise awareness and encourage participation in Remembrance.
