- What does the poppy represent? The
poppy represents the symbol of Remembrance.
- Why should I wear a poppy? When you wear a poppy or display a wreath you honour
the war dead and help ex-service personnel and their dependents.
- How do I help needy ex-service personnel and their dependents? The basic purpose of poppy funds is to
provide immediate assistance to ex-service personnel in need. This may include food, shelter or medical attention for them or
their families. Also bursaries are granted to children and grandchildren of ex-service personnel.
- Are there any other uses for poppy funds? Yes. Poppy funds can be used for
low-rental housing and care facilities for elderly or disabled persons and their dependents, community medical appliances and medical
research, day care centres, meals-on-wheels, transportation and related services for veterans, their dependants and the aged.
Donations may be given for relief of disasters declared by the federal or provincial governments.
- Aren't ex-service personnel eligible for government pensions? Yes. Many ex-service
personnel do get pensions, but many others, although handicapped, do not. However, no pension can provide for eventualities such
as fire, a long illness on the part of the breadwinner or other medical expenses.
- Do you have to be a Legion member to get help from the poppy fund? No. Any ex-service
personnel or dependant is eligible to apply for financial aid from the poppy fund. The poppy funds also support the Legion service
bureaux, and a large number of service bureau cases involve people who are not Legion members.
- What are Service Bureaux? Throughout the Legion, in some 1,720 branches in ten provincial
commands, and in Ottawa, there are service officers whose job it is to assist ex-service persons or dependents with problems relating to
disability pensions or other veterans' legislation. The national and provincial offices not only provide advice but act on behalf
of the individual. Every year thousands of representations are placed before the federal government on behalf of "clients"
. There is no charge for this service which is available to any ex-service personnel or dependent who can qualify for such
assistance.
- Does all the money raised through the distribution of poppies and wreaths go into poppy funds?
After expenses, such as the cost of poppies, wreaths and other supplies are deducted, all remaining monies are placed in trust to be used on
those purposes authorized in the General By-laws of The Royal Canadian Legion.
- Can poppy money be used for anything else? The Legion's constitution stresses that poppy funds
must be held in trust. They are subscribed to by the public. They are held in a bank account separate from that of the
branch and cannot be used for any purpose other than those stipulated.
- Are campaign expenses high? Campaign expenses are unusually low because most of the work is
voluntary.
- How much should I give? We suggest that you give according to the dictates of your conscience.
You might remember that the cost of all the things the poppy fund provides is much higher today; therefore, it takes more money
to do the same job.
When you give to the poppy campaign
you remember the war dead
and help the living and the dependents of those
who
have served our country.
|
