Royal Canadian Legion launches 2024 Poppy Campaign in Ottawa

On October 25, 2024, in Ottawa, Canada, the Royal Canadian Legion launched its 2024 National Poppy Campaign. This year’s campaign features increased access to Poppies, new Remembrance stories highlighting the Royal Canadian Air Force as it celebrates its 100th anniversary, and a variety of donation options through a collaboration with Amazon Canada. Traditional donation boxes will be available at thousands of locations, with an introduction of new tap-enabled donation boxes enhancing convenience. A novel initiative this year is 'Poppy Stories,' which allows individuals to scan their lapel Poppy to access personal stories of RCAF members and other Veterans, thereby fostering an educational engagement with Canada's military history. Schools will benefit from a newly designed ceremony guide that aims to facilitate Remembrance Day activities, particularly emphasizing the sacred two minutes of silence dedicated to honoring fallen soldiers. In addition to the new offerings, various items like LED Poppy lights and lawn signs will be part of the campaign. The National Remembrance Day Ceremony will take place at the National War Memorial in Ottawa on November 11, where Canadians are encouraged to participate in local remembrance activities facilitated through the Legion’s Ceremony Locator. Notably, each year, around $20 million are contributed by supporters of the Poppy Campaign, showcasing the public’s commitment to honoring veterans. The Legion, founded in 1925, stands as the largest support organization for veterans in Canada and plays a pivotal role in community service and remembrance efforts across the nation.