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Helene Boudreau enjoys looking after the poppy campaign

Volunteers and the public work together to make the Legion poppy campaign a success
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For the past few years, Helene Boudreau has enjoyed organizing and executing the Quesnel Legion’s poppy campaign.

The campaign includes the rental of wreaths and crosses for display in local businesses as well as the laying of wreaths at the cenotaph on Nov. 11.

Helene is also responsible for the distribution and sale of the iconic red paper poppies at various outlets around the community and from trays in various businesses.

She says lining up her volunteers isn’t too difficult, as most people are willing to do their part and the poppies are such a positive thing in the community.

The money raised during the poppy campaign remains in Quesnel and can be accessed by veterans and their families to improve their lives, with such items as dentures, eye glasses, travel costs for out-of-town medical appointments and the like.

For larger purchases, such as motorized scooters, veterans are directed to apply to Veterans Affairs for funding help.

“We are also authorized to provide some assistance to Dunrovin for items they may need for the residents.”

Each year, Helene says she looks forward to contacting veterans and other volunteers to help sell the poppies. This is possibly the most enjoyable aspect of her volunteer position.

“I enjoy talking to people I might not see other than once a year.

“I especially enjoy talking to the veterans who seem to be eagerly waiting for my call for volunteers. Most are happy to support the poppy campaign.”

She adds she’s never put off by people who are unable to help out.

“Some are just a little too old to participate.

“Also, this year we’ve lost about five or six veterans, including one of Quesnel’s best known vets, Tom Moffat.”

Helene says Tom was unable to complete his final project at the Legion before he died.

“He has all the medals for the Second World War Quesnel boys who paid the ultimate price in serving their country.

“Doug Carey, the Legion’s historian, is working on having the project completed by Remembrance Day.”

Poppies are available for sale right up to the end of activities at the Legion on Nov. 11, and Helene says she is happy to report the community seems to be on track for about the same level of donations as last year.

Just a little footnote from the poppy campaign. Helene says each year Canadian snowbirds (Quesnel residents who spend their winters in warmer climates) request poppies from Canada to be distributed wherever they are, and Helene is happy to help them spread Canada’s good will and remembrance.