POPPY CHAIR OF THE YEAR
COMRADE CHUCK SIMPSON, CD has been named Poppy Chair of the Year for the Legion’s District E. The award was presented at the recent District E convention in Barrie.
“This was quite the shock to me,” said Comrade Simpson. He was quick to acknowledge “For me to get this award, it is not just me. There were a great many people who came out in support of the Poppy Campaign. It was a major team effort plain and simple.”
Among the group Simpson named are the Legion members, the cadets from 85 Tornado Air Cadet Squadron from Grand Valley, the cadets from 1849 Army Cadet Corps here in Orangeville, fellow citizens from the local area (including our current mayor), the many, many stores, schools, churches and businesses, OPP, Fire, EMS who allowed us to canvass inside and place poppy counter boxes for everyone's use. So many canvassing, dropping off and picking up poppy boxes, ordering supplies, rolling coins, depositing the money to the great deal of paper work completed to get this event going.
“This was a team effort,“ added Simpson, “leading to a successful Poppy Campaign which will allow us to support our Veterans and their families. Again, I thank all for your support and effort and I am looking forward to this year's upcoming campaign.”
Comrade Simpson has served as the local Poppy Chair for many years and, in addition, currently serves as First Vice President of Orangeville’s Legion Branch 233.
First Poppy Presented to Governor General
Greetings to one and all from the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 233 Orangeville. Have you ever wondered where the monies donated during our Poppy Campaign go? Well let me show you one of the programs (Operation Service Dog) (PTSD) that provides support to one group of our veterans.
Looking at the picturest above, what do you see? Individually you see a dog and a man. Put them together, you see “MAGIC”. The time and effort to put these two souls together is quite expensive, but by doing so, you make for a better life for one of our veterans who stepped up and did his duty for us and his country.
I have met both comrades and yes, I consider Chandler a comrade, and in the very short time from meeting them, the difference in the quality of life for that veteran is extra-ordinary. You can not ask for anymore (may I say) value from monies donated to a worthy cause.
So, when you see the members of the Legion out canvassing during the upcoming Poppy Campaign (starts Friday 25 October 2019) please remember that picture and what a life changing impact it has had on one of our veterans.
“Lest We Forget” “We Will Remember”
Thank you
Now that the Poppy Campaign is over and a big big thank you has been sent out to all who donated to and supported this fund, I would like to take this time to “THANK” those incredible "Lucky 13 (anonymous) comrades" who were actively involved in this campaign through the setting up the administrative side, canvassing where allowed, delivering and retrieving the poppy counter boxes to and from so many establishments and the counting of the money donated. I know the Covid-19 pandemic would and did have a large impact on this year's campaign, but hopefully there will be better times coming next year for all. Be well, be safe.
Chuck Simpson, 1st vice/poppy campaign chair
R.C.L. Branch 233 Orangeville
“Lest We Forget” “We Will Remember”.
Donation to headwaters healthcare foundation
Greetings.,
On Monday, 8 March 2021, Comrade Barry Kimber and I took a trip up to the Headwaters Hospital where we had the great pleasure of presenting a cheque for 5200.00 to the Headwaters Health Care Foundation for the purchase of a CO2 Incubator. In this time of so much negativity, it was such a joy to be able to take part in something, quite frankly, extremely positive and uplifting.
The money donated came from the R.C.L. Ontario Command, Branches and Ladies Auxiliary “Charitable Foundation”. One of the ways that this foundation receives money is from the funds donated during the Poppy Campaign. This goes to show you that local communities do have a big impact on this foundation.
To learn more about the Legion's Charitable Foundation, please follow the link provided: https://www.on.legion.ca/who-we-are/community.
Chuck Simpson, First Vice,
Zone E-3 Charitable Foundation Chair
“Lest We Forget” “We Will Remember”
Picture, left to right: Chuck Simpson, Zone E-3 Charitable Foundation Chair, Kendra Goss, Coordinator of Corporate and Community Engagement, Sarah Mailhot, Vice Chair of Headwaters Health Care Foundation's Board of Directors, Barry Kimber, President of Branch 233 Orangeville.
