poppy campaign prep for autumn 2021

Greetings Comrades and friends of the Legion. 

This year’s Poppy Campaign starts on Friday 29 October 2021.   As you know, the 

Covid-19 crisis has had a major impact on how we use to participate in this very worthwhile event. Last year’s campaign had far fewer comrades being there to canvass at the (5) businesses that allowed us to do so and to distribute/pick up the countertop boxes.

That was understandable.  So much fear, so much misunderstanding can cause people to re-think.  But we did have a responsible plan/protocol in place at that time. Social distancing, masks, sanitizing stations that we set up at the various business that allowed us to do so and good old fashion common sense.  Plus, with the many store countertop boxes being distributed, the campaign was remarkably successful.  But this year, I believe it can be even more of a success.  Having more dedicated people, more of a Legion presence out there is the key to put it bluntly. People like seeing and speaking with us.  The more hours covered, the better the campaign will be.  And as you know, the funds raised go into a Trust Fund to support our Veterans, their families, and the communities as a whole.  So please, think about volunteering some of your time this year.  The volunteer calendar will be set up just inside the Legion entrance shortly.  Vaccinations are the key, following the rules is the requirement, but if all is followed, the campaign will be a success.

Yours in Comradeship,

Chuck Simpson, 1st vice/Poppy Trust/Poppy

Campaign, 519-216-2493

 Greetings to the members and friends of the Orangeville Legion, Branch 233. 

We now are just completing week one of our annual Poppy Campaign. The pandemic has had a really large impact on so many things, but the one thing it has not prevented or dampened is the unbelievable generosity of the citizens and businesses of Orangeville and the surrounding areas. The ability for us to safely canvass and to place our poppy counter boxes in so many businesses has just been phenomenal. 

Today, (November 6th) our president, Barry Kimber received a phone call from Mr Paul Law, owner of Midas Orangeville, asking him to stop by. Upon arriving, Barry was very much surprised when he was presented with a cheque for $2000.00 for the Poppy Fund. You just can't say “THANK YOU” enough when things like this happen. So much good will be done with this donation and the many others received so far from this campaign. We, Branch 233 are ever so grateful to Mr. Law and all of the staff at Midas Orangeville. There are still 4 days to go in this campaign, so you will see us out there doing what we do best. Your generosity will allow us to provide support to our veterans and their families when needed. Again, thank you to all.

“Lest We Forget” “We Will Remember”.

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”.

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.