Like everything else this year, the annual Poppy campaign will look different because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Jack Clayton is the provincial executive director for the New Brunswick Command of the Royal Canadian Legion.
He said volunteers are allowed to sit at six-foot tables but they must be located six feet from exits and entrances.
The poppies will be displayed individually where a donor can select one without touching any others.
“They [volunteers] will have a piece of styrofoam and the poppies will be stood up in them. All the public will have to do is grab a poppy from the styrofoam. They won’t have to handle all of the poppies all at once,” Clayton said.
Clayton said some sales are down.
“We are seeing a decline in the sales of wreaths and crosses to businesses. It’s down a little bit but, not enough that it’s hurting us. At least [not] yet,” Clayton said.
Clayton added they won’t know the full impact of the pandemic on what is raised this year until the campaign is over. He said the Saint John-area Legions are doing OK.
He said they have been able to assist some Legions with the expenses that piled up during the pandemic.
“We’ve been able to assist some of the smaller branches because of where they were closed for the eight months. You know power bill, cable bill, phone bill. They still have to be paid every month. Have I closed any branches? No. Am I looking at closing any? No. I have, I’ll say four or five that are on [the] borderline,” Clayton said.
The Poppy campaign starts on Friday and runs until November 5th.
Clayton said volunteers are needed for the poppy campaign.
The Poppy Store is another way to honour and support Canada's Veterans. Shop online at https://t.co/u54DF24Ygi or call the Legion's Supply Department to place your order at 1-888-301-2268. Thank you for your support! pic.twitter.com/rA9vBOW6m7
— The Royal Canadian Legion (@RoyalCdnLegion) October 19, 2020
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