Legion’s poppy boxes get touchless payments
Volunteer says it’s fine this year, but people will miss out on hearing from veterans in person
The Royal Canadian Legion has created a new way for Canadians to get involved with its annual poppy campaign to support veterans in the midst of COVID-19.
A pilot project is being introduced to allow for touchless donation boxes. The boxes are accepting fee-free touchless donations in $2 increments, from a tapenabled device or card. In partnership with HSBC Bank Canada, there will be 250 “Pay Tribute” boxes in the country, mostly in HSBC Bank locations and other retail stores.
This year, more than 30 national corporate partners across 25,000 locations will also have traditional poppy boxes available. Some of those locations include Tim Hortons, Shoppers and Starbucks.
“With so many strong partners across the country, we’re really hopeful that Canadians will still be able to donate as generously as they normally do,” said Nujma Bond, the manager of communications at the Royal Canadian Legion National Headquarters.
Bond said this campaign is different; usually veterans and volunteers play a big part, but restrictions related to the pandemic have reduced that. Some volunteers have still been helping out getting poppy boxes to locations while also supporting veterans if needed.
Doug Munroe, a 78-year-old navy veteran and longtime volunteer, says the new touchless donation options are crucial right now.
“With the new method of collecting funds people don’t have to be there. It doesn’t replace the personal contact but it’s certainly good for this year,” Munroe said.
“One thing people are missing out on is having the chance to be educated by a veteran in person on what the poppy drive is truly about.”
Despite altering the campaign, Bond said the Legion has received over $200,000 in donations online so far this year. Across the country, some regions have also set up additional methods of donation that include e-transfer and text-to-donate. Donations can be made at legion.ca/donations.
The Legion National Foundation has also made digital poppies available, which allow Canadians to create their own poppy and dedicate it to a veteran.
With 250 “Pay Tribute” boxes in place nationally, Bond said the plan is to look at expanding the tap-and-pay boxes depending on how the pilot goes.
“We’re very thankful for the generosity of Canadians who donate. Every year, they donate more than $20 million during the national poppy campaign, and these funds go into a multitude of support initiatives to help our veterans across the country.”
On Remembrance Day, the CN Tower is expected to glow red to honour Canada’s veterans and the fallen. Due to COVID-19, the city of Toronto announced there will not be a public gathering, but a virtual commemoration is expected.
Meanwhile, police said a 32-year-old man was arrested Tuesday for attempting to steal a poppy donation box after entering a store in the Summerhill area.
Police said the man entered the store and put the donation box down the front of his pants but was caught by store employees. All the money was recovered.