Poppy volunteers badly needed in Kelowna

With the annual poppy campaign now underway, the Kelowna Legion is appealing to the public for help.

“We probably need at least 50 more volunteers, probably 75 would be better,” poppy office manager Joy Wallace said.

With 17 locations throughout the city, there’s a big need to fill all of the shifts to sell poppies.

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“We probably have close to 300 spots to fill,” Wallace said.  “We try and schedule anybody whenever they can.”

Last year, the poppy campaign raised $176,000.

Wallace said the money collected is used in many different ways.

“We support veterans in many, many ways particularly with their health concerns, their widows, their dependents,” she said. “We supported Kelowna General Hospital, almost $50,000 last year because they look after veterans too and hospice, and the cancer society, the cancer hospital, we gave, I think, some $20,000 to them.”

The poppy drive kicked off Friday morning and runs until Nov. 10.

If would like to volunteer some time to help sell poppies, you’re asked to call the Kelowna Legion at (250)762-2961.