In your article Legion Shutdown Divides Community (Oct. 23), I was surprised to read that Lions Gate Hospital and Argyle secondary are beneficiaries of the local poppy campaign. I have always understood that the funds from the poppy campaign across Canada went to support veterans and their families, not other community organizations. I wonder whether this redistribution of the funds occurs at other legion branches, or only the Lynn Valley branch. I willingly donate to the poppy fund every year thinking that I am helping veterans, but if that is not the case, I will rethink my donation. If I wish to support the hospital or the school I shall do so. However, when I give to the poppy fund, I expect my donation to go to helping veterans. To use my donation for anything else is abusing my trust in the organization. If the legion does not have any veterans to help, then perhaps it is time to rethink the poppy campaign.
Erica Roberts
North Vancouver
EDITOR’S NOTE: Proceeds from the Royal Canadian Legion Poppy Trust Fund directly support Canada’s serving and retired veterans and their families. According to B.C./Yukon Command, the Lynn Valley Legion’s Poppy Trust Fund has dispersed more than $20,000 to veteran causes. Cash bursaries were handed out to 12 students this summer, all either grandchildren of veterans, children of Lynn Valley branch members or residents of the Lynn Valley community at large. Lions Gate Hospital and veterans hospitals in Vancouver are annual beneficiaries of the Lynn Valley Legion’s poppy campaign.
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