It鈥檚 an image of tribute and honour in Canada that鈥檚 spanned 96 years and counting; many pin it to the left side of their jackets, sweaters, and shirts, so the memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice remains close to their hearts.

The Royal Canadian Legion adopted the poppy as the official symbol of remembrance in 1921 (along with Britain and Australia).

In 91原创, volunteers are desperately needed to drop off poppy boxes to local businesses as Remembrance Day quickly approaches.

鈥淩ight now, we鈥檙e still trying to get boxes out to the stores that don鈥檛 have them,鈥� said Wilma McEwen, a 91原创 Legion member who鈥檚 been the local poppy leader for 16 years.

鈥淎nd also (volunteers are needed) with the boxes to sell poppies.鈥�

She added, 鈥淲e have about 700 boxes, here, and only 500 have gone out so far.鈥�

You don鈥檛 have to be a Legion member or a veteran to volunteer with the poppy campaign.

鈥淎ny reliable person can do it,鈥� McEwen said.

91原创 could use another 20 volunteers to drop off boxes, according to McEwen.

Some Businesses 鈥楬onoured鈥�

Nicole Vanderwall made a mental note to herself a year ago that she would volunteer this year to drop off boxes.

鈥淟ast year I heard on the radio that they were looking for people to help deliver poppy boxes and just between school and work I just didn鈥檛 have any time to offer,鈥� Vanderwall said.

This year, she volunteered her time and energy to help out, and said the response from local businesses has been mostly positive.

鈥淚 just walked up and down Fraser Highway, went into all these businesses I鈥檝e never been to before, and talked to a whole bunch of people,鈥� Vanderwall said. 鈥淪ome people were completely honoured to be asked.鈥�

Those hesitant to accept poppy boxes either needed to ask their managers, or were afraid of theft and didn鈥檛 want to be responsible for the donations, Vanderwall said.

With Remembrance Day just a few days away, Vanderwall hopes others will volunteer to drop off boxes.

鈥淚f there鈥檚 a few people who just have a little time to offer鈥� it鈥檚 not a difficult thing to do,鈥� Vanderwall said.

The 27-year-old is juggling work with university but was determined to find time to support local veterans. Her interest in helping the military dates back years.

She went to high school with Pte. Garrett Chidley, a 21-year-old full-time solider from 91原创 after the light armored vehicle he was driving struck an improvised explosive device.

鈥淲e worked on a play together,鈥� Vanderwall said, of Chidley.

鈥淗e was one of the drama kids who a lot of us looked up to. I didn鈥檛 even know he was in the military until he passed.鈥�

As well, Vanderwall has had distant family members who have done military service.

Where Do the Donations Go?

Donations to the Legion Poppy Funds helps the Legion provide financial assistance and support to veterans, including Canadian Armed Forces and RCMP, and their families who are in need.

鈥淚t all (the funds from donations) stays in the community to help our local veterans,鈥� McEwen noted.

Just some of the initiatives that poppy funds may be used for include:

鈥� Grants for food, heating costs, clothing, prescription medication, medical appliances and equipment, essential home repairs and emergency shelter or assistance for veterans and their families in need;

鈥� Housing accommodation and care facilities for veterans;

鈥� Comforts for veterans and their surviving spouses who are hospitalized and in need;

鈥� Veterans visits, transportation, reading programs and day trips;

鈥� Educational bursaries for children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of veterans;

鈥� Support of cadet units;

鈥� Community drop-in centres, meals-on-wheels, and seniors services in communities where veterans would benefit; and

鈥� Promotion and administering of Remembrance activities

For a full list of use of Poppy Trust Funds, visit

The Poppy Campaign is organized and run by volunteers at more than 1,400 branches across Canada and abroad.

Poppy Funds are are strictly controlled, with appropriate approval processes. Branch executives are accountable for Poppy Fund expenditures and are required to inform the public through local media of the results of their campaign, including contributions received and disposition of funds.

To volunteer, visit the 91原创 Legion location at 20604 Logan Ave., between the hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday.

鈥淛ust come in and we鈥檒l load you up and away you go,鈥� McEwen said.