OLDS — Once again, Seasons Olds and Seasons Olds Encore retirement facilities have created displays of poppies to help raise funds for Royal Canadian Legion Branch #105 poppy fund campaign.
From Nov. 1-11, residents, staff and visitors were encouraged to donate money to the campaign. Self-serve poppy boxes were available to guests and residents.
Row upon row of giant paper poppies were set out on the lawns of both facilities, located along 57th Avenue, to honour those who have fought for Canada and remember their stories.
The poppy boxes are delivered sealed to the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #105 so it's not known exactly how much money was raised this year and how it compared to amounts raised in previous years.
Residents of the company’s facilities in Ontario did the same thing. Poppy donations go directly to providing financial assistance and support to veterans, including Canadian Armed Forces and RCMP and their families who are in need.
The company has undertaken this project in both provinces since 2016.
“This meaningful fundraiser allows residents and our team members to not only connect with veterans in our Seasons communities, but also with local veterans and their families who live and work in Olds,” Lorrissa Standingalone, general manager at Seasons Retirement Communities in Olds, said in a news release.
“Our annual campaign is one of the many ways we proudly thank them for their service and honour the memories of past generations of veterans.”
In the same release, Bilal Zafar, general manager at Seasons Retirement Communities Olds Encore, said: “We're proud of how Seasons came together in support of the Royal Canadian Legion, even during these challenging times."
“The continued donations from residents, staff and their families year after year demonstrate the resilience of our community as we unite in honouring the legacy of our veterans and fallen soldiers.”
Coun. Wanda Blatz promoted the poppy display during the Nov. 8 Olds council meeting.
“It’s quite a touching and moving tribute to our veterans. And I think that as part of this week, we should potentially all have a little look at that,” Blatz said. “I think it’s very nice.”
