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Poppy Campaign kicks off

Royal Canadian Legion Branch 139 representatives delivered the first poppy to Williams Lake mayor Walt Cobb Tuesday.
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Royal Canadian Legion Branch 139 president Bonnie O’Neill (right) and RCLB 139 past president Joyce Norberg present Williams Lake mayor Walt Cobb with the first poppy Tuesday morning signifying the kickoff of the Poppy Campaign leading to Remembrance Day on Nov. 11. Poppies will be available around the city starting Oct. 30.

Royal Canadian Legion Branch 139 representatives delivered the first poppy to Williams Lake mayor Walt Cobb Tuesday, signifying the kickoff of the annual Poppy Campaign.

Joe Bazan, RCLB 139 director and Poppy Campaign manager, said the annual campaign leading up to Remembrance Day is a major operation to organize.

“There’s a tremendous number of volunteers in our community in addition to the vast number of Royal Canadian Legion members and friends of members [who help out],” Bazan said.

“The poppies will be resplendent around town and at various merchants on Oct. 30.”

The campaign runs until Nov. 10. Cadets will be doing a blitz of the city on Saturday, Nov. 6 to show their support.

“All of the funds raised by the poppy campaign support all Canadian veterans and their families,” Bazan said.

“There are no administrative fees charged for the poppy fundraiser.”

Remembrance Day ceremonies are slated for Wednesday, Nov. 11, beginning with a service at the Gibraltar Room at the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex starting at 10 a.m., followed by a service at the Cenotaph at Williams Lake City Hall.

The Williams Lake Flying Club will perform its fly over in the missing man formation at 11 a.m.

RCLB 139 president Bonnie O’Neill encourages the public to attend.

“We want to invite the public to all the events and then back to the Legion for a potluck lunch, entertainment and comradeship,” she said.



Greg Sabatino

About the Author: Greg Sabatino

Greg Sabatino graduated from Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops with a Bachelor of Journalism degree in 2008.
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