Editor, The Times:
I would like to thank the businesses and people of Clearwater, Vavenby and district for their very generous support of our 2015 Poppy Campaign.
We received a total of $7,281 (last year was $6,414). This will be reduced a little due to the cost of supplies (poppies, pins, bracelets, etc.) and miscellaneous costs related to the campaign.
Thanks to all the volunteers who generously donated their time and efforts to ensure the success of our campaign.
To date we have dispersed for veterans welfare and youth the following.
• Veteran's Transition Program, which provides Canadian military and veterans with assistance in their personal and career transitions, $500.
• The Legion Foundation, which provides critically important programs and much needed services and equipment for veterans and seniors, $500 designated for medical equipment.
• Legion Military Skills Conversion Program BCIT designed to help accelerate and advance the civilian careers of former and current Canadian Reserve Force and Regular Force members, $500.
• Cockrell House, which provides transitional safe housing with health and social services for homeless ex-military personnel requiring assistance integrating back into society, $500.
• George Derby Centre, which consists of three general resident care units and two modern secured special care units for residents with dementia, $500 designated for medical equipment.
• Brock Fahrni Pavilion residential care in Vancouver, home to 148 residents, many of whom are armed forces veterans, $500.
• Broadmead Veterans Health Centre, $1,000 designated for overhead lift.
•RCEL or Royal Commonwealth Ex-service League which provides food, clothing, medical, dental, mobility devices, minor home repairs for Allied veterans and their widows in need, $500.
• Clearwater schools poster and literary contest prize money, $610.
• To assist a veteran for travel to and from Kamloops for medical appointment, $156.
• To Nicola-Thompson Zone Royal Canadian Legion to help fund poster and literary contest, $100.
• Veterans, spouses and caregivers annual dinner, $700.
Total dispersed, $6,066.
Thanks again for your outstanding support.
Calvin Lutz, vice president and poppy chairman
Royal Canadian Legion
Br. 259