The Cloverdale Legion is looking for more volunteers.

The 2024 Poppy Campaign kicks off today (Oct. 25) and the while the Cloverdale Legion has a lot of volunteers, there are still many empty squares on their schedule board at the branch.

Susie Chamberlain, Poppy Campaign chair for Cloverdale's Branch No. 6, said they still need poppy taggers to fill spots in both Cloverdale and 91原创.

鈥淭hings are going good,鈥� said Chamberlain. "But we still need more volunteers. Each blank space on the board is a space that needs to be filled."

Pat Ostrom, the branch's 1st vice-president, said it takes an army of people to get the campaign rolled out and an army of people to sustain it. He said the board only covers the major locations. They have many smaller places that aren't shown.

He said they have some cadets helping this year. The public will only see the kids on weekends though as they don't allow the kids to volunteer in any of the weekday three-hour windows.

"We have a lot of three-hour time slots up for grabs," said Ostrom. "Anyone can do it, you just have to show up."

Those slots run 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 1 to 4 p.m., and 4 to 7 p.m. seven days a week up until Remembrance Day.

Ostrom said if anyone is unsure if they can do it, they can always just fill in for one shift to see if it suits them.

"It's an easy job," he said. "You just have to stand there. You don't have to canvass people. If anyone asks you where the money goes, you tell them it goes towards veterans and their families. And if it doesn't go there, it goes to hospitals and that type of thing. Everything goes to a good cause."

Ostrom added that anyone who wants to help can contact the Legion.

As for Chamberlain, this is her second year running the Poppy Campaign for Branch No. 6. She said "so far, so good" in terms or preparation and roll out for the 2024 campaign.

The branch in 91原创 City that covered the western side of the community closed years ago, and Cloverdale and Aldergrove have covered that area ever since. As such, the need for poppy taggers is immense.

Chamberlain said many locations remain unfilled and they are only asking for a few hours commitment.

鈥淚 could use several more people," she added. "All the empty white squares ... are available for volunteers."

This year the Legion continues its Digital Poppy Campaign as well. Donors can to purchase a digital poppy that can then be shared on social media. The digital poppy has an option to include the name of a veteran, if one chooses.

The Legion also has an online where visitors can purchase poppy- and Remembrance Day-related merchandise.

The Royal Canadian Legion hands out about 18 million poppies each year and raises about $20 million for charity. The money goes to support veterans and their families. Some of the ways the money is used includes: assisting needy veterans, ex-service members, and their families; purchasing much-needed medical equipment; maintenance of housing and care facilities for veterans, seniors, and disabled persons; funding drop-in centres for adults, meals-on-wheels, transport, and related services.

To volunteer with the Cloverdale Legion for the annual Poppy Campaign, call Branch No. 6 on 604-574-5300.