The Barrie legion is aiming to raise $300,000 through this year's poppy campaign, with organizers saying more volunteers are needed to help reach that goal.
Central Ontario's initiative was launched on Friday at a ceremony at Royal Canadian Legion Branch 147 in Barrie, although some local businesses have already received poppy boxes to display.
Michel Cormier took over as the poppy chair this year after five years as the vice chair. He says the effort involves organizing hundreds of routes to distribute around 90,000 poppies to local businesses, along with school outreach and community canvassing.
"We need people, we need volunteers just to make the routes so these 600 and some business get those poppies," he told the audience.
Cormier later told Barrie360: "We prepare the routes to go out to go to the businesses, we have all the canvassing trays and all the information for people to go out. Once the campaign is over and the money comes back... we do everything else."
Volunteers from the wider community play an important role in the campaign, alongside legion members and veterans.
Cormier says the number of volunteers can fluctuate, but last year's community support helped keep the effort moving.
"It meant the world because there's times when I look at it (and say) 'we're not gonna make it,' and next thing we know, people start to show up and it picks up and it's amazing."
He adds those interested in volunteering should reach out to their local legion, whether it's Barrie, or elsewhere in Simcoe County.
The goal of $300,000 for the Barrie legion is "doable," Cormier said, but with more volunteers, it's within reach.
Around $20 million is donated to the poppy fund each year nationwide, with the money that each legion brings in being put toward financial assistance and support to local veterans and their families, according to the Royal Canadian Legion.
Of course, the campaign depends on people willing to give, particularly as the cost of everyday expenses continues to put pressure on household budgets.
"We know the cost of fuel, groceries, everything is high," Cormier told Barrie360. "We expect some people are struggling more, but we expect that they still want to give us the money to help our veterans that gave everything."
The campaign begins as Canadians mourn the deaths of at least four Canadian Armed Forces members following a fire at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright on Saturday.
Among the at least 39 others injured as a result of the blaze is the eldest son of Oro-Medonte mayoral candidate Cathy Keane.
"These families are going through something that's difficult," Cormier, a 30-year veteran told Barrie360. "One of them is 19-years-old. My kid is 20... No parent should have to bury a kid, and during the war, it happened way too much."
Barrie South-Innisfil MP John Brassard, host of the launch event, held back tears as he detailed the tragedy to the audience and read the names of those who died.
He used the events in Wainwright to amplify why people should contribute to the poppy campaign.
"This poppy fund is important for several reasons," he said. "It supports the work that our members of our legions do — and that work will become even more important for these members and their families as well. Not just here locally, but across the county, and across our nation."
Residents who wish to donate can do so at traditional poppy boxes with change or cash, or can tap a debit card at a Pay Tribute box. Online options for supports include creating a digital poppy or by ordering a poppy on Amazon.
The campaign runs from Saturday to Remembrance Day and coincides with the legion's centenary.
