Poppy Trust Fund: 

Poppy funds are made available through the generosity of the Canadian public and are part of the public trust between Canadians and the Legion. 

To safeguard this bond, Poppy Trust Funds must be held in trust at each Branch and Command level of the Legion. They may not be used as, or in place of, general or any other Branch funds. 

The basic purpose and obligations of the Poppy Trust Fund are to assist a Veteran as defined in Subsection ioi.d of the General By-Laws and their families.

“Families is defined as current spouse and dependant children including widows/widowers"

          POPPY CAMPAIGN UPDATE

Congratulations, we did it!

This year marked the 75th Anniversary Peace Keeping and I am so proud to be able to announce that our Branch has taken its role as “Guardians of Remembrance” to heart by running a very successful Poppy Campaign.   Our last major deposit was made on Friday, 17th November and I am very pleased to advise you that we have raised approximately $92,000.00 in Poppy donations this year which surpasses all previous Campaigns. 

It is important to realize that the Poppy Funds raised at our Branch are kept in a separate trust account to be used strictly in accordance with the Poppy Manual.  It is used to help support Veterans and their families, Seniors within our community through Service Officers, Youth within our community through National Youth Remembrance Contests, Cadets and post High School Bursaries, and last but not least to support or fund medical research and equipment at both Dartmouth General Hospital and Camp Hill.  

A campaign's success depends solely on its volunteers and the generosity of those in our community and this year has been no exception.  Our volunteers have risen to the challenge and proven their commitment to remember our Veterans and their families who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for their Country during war, peacetime and the many operations throughout the World and right here at home. We continue to honour and thank those that have served, continue to serve and to those who keep the home fires burning.

Our Community continues to prove its commitment by allowing us to place volunteers and poppy trays in their businesses, by purchasing and displaying wreaths, and by attending our Remembrance Day ceremony at the Cenotaph, by their utmost generous and kind donations and wearing the Poppy.  On behalf Centennial Legion, Branch 160, I would like to extend our gratitude to all of those in our community who helped to make the 2023 campaign a success.

There are so many to thank for this year I know that there is no way I will remember to mention you all. So to the key people who made my job much more bearable and all those without whose efforts we would not have succeeded this well, please know that your contribution is appreciated.  As the saying goes it takes a village to raise a child it takes an entire branch to carry out a Poppy Campaign.

Volunteers

Office Co-ordinator Joanne Geddes, 2i/c Betty Pooley, Office Staff, Bob Gofton and the Drivers, Bill Waite and Dan for Venue and Wreath Set Up and Tear Down, Gerry MacDonald and Bill Sullivan for School Distribution, Annette MacKenzie / George Stark and the finance team, Jessie Geddes for bagging the poppies, the Grave Decorating Teams, Jodi Naugler for designing the labels for our Poppy Cans, Reverend Derek Marshall, Parade Commander Shawn Levesque, Bugler Hannah Landry, Singer Debra Gilbert for the Remembrance Day Ceremony, John Quilty, Terry Pond, Padre Steve Cochrane, Shawn Levesque and Byron Mullett, for their roles with our Remembrance Week Services, Terry Hutchison for the Remembrance display at the Branch, Chuck Lockyer & Bennie for all their help with the Grave Decorating, John Quilty for being our Parade Emcee, Elaine Haney and the Kitchen crew, The Defenders Chapter 10 for all their support, our Poppy Distributors and participants at the Remembrance Day Ceremony and reception, and last but certainly not least, to Paul MacDonald our PR Guy who despite his heavy work schedule, managed to get our message out with little to no notice. 

Businesses

Dartmouth Memorial Gardens, Atlantic Funeral Home, Cole Harbour Place, MacKinnon & Olding Limited, Payless, Lakeland, Gateway, Fast Fuel (Needs), Tim's, Ultramar, Canadian Tire Gas, Esso and Tim's all on Highway 7.  Cascade Pizza, Pharmasave, Tim's, Mic Mac Tavern, Monty’s, Thirsty Duck and Irving all on Waverly.  Tim's, Ultramar, Hampton Inn, Cineplex, Best Buy, Home Depot, Golftown, TD Bank, Sportschek, the Shoe Company and Petsmart all at Dartmouth Crossing.  RCMP and Pur-O-Lator in Burnside, The Thrift Store, Flag Shop, Smitty's, Admiral House, PetroCan, Abel Fuels, ANAF, Lawton's Drugstore, Tim's, Sam's Seafood, Subway, Scotiabank, Royal Bank, Color World, Shopper's Drugmart, Dolittle's, Pharmasave, DQ, Mary Brown’s Chicken, HBB Medical, Hub Too, Esso, Hard Drive Café, NSCC, Dave's and Ben's Bakery all of Westphal.  Tim Horton's Forrest Hills, Wing It, Dry Cleaner, Shopper's Drugmart, TD Bank, Shell, CIBC, Cole Harbour Place, Bisset Court, Annapolie Pizza, Library, Fabricville, Irving, Fong's and PetroCan all from Cole Harbour.  Bulk Barn, Original Six Barber, Atlantic Fabrics, Staples, Ultramar, St Louis's Bar and Grill, Penhorn Medical, McPhee Ford, All Makes, Leasing, Portland Honda, Parkland Harris Hall, Shannix, M&M Meats, TD Bank, Steak and Stein, McPhee Car, Cash Money, Library, Second Cup, Shopper's Drugmart,  Nissan, Salvation Army, Snair’s Bakery, Dartmouth Dodge, The Berkley Dartmouth and the Library all from Woodland/Penhorn. 

Organizations

12 Wing Headquarters                              

423 (MH) Squadron                                  

12 Wing Pipes and Drums                         

117 Preston Army Cadets                          

339 IROQUOIS Sea Cadets

848 Highland Army Cadets

Defenders Chapter 10

The Better Together Group

Thank you all so very much.

Yours in Comradeship,

George Lewis

Poppy Chairman

Centennial Legion Branch 160

Dartmouth, NS