Shelburne Legion Launches 2025 Poppy Campaign
As preparations for Remembrance Day progress, the Royal Canadian Legion has officially begun its 2025 Poppy Campaign across Canada to support the Poppy Fund.
Supporting Veterans and Their Families
Chris Skalozub, District E Parade Marshal and Shelburne veteran, emphasized the importance of fundraising at this critical time to secure funds that assist veterans and the local community.
“The Poppy Campaign is for our Poppy Fund, which is for our veterans and their families. It all comes back to the community because all the money that everyone contributes comes from the community.”
Purpose and Impact of the Poppy Fund
The Poppy Fund acts as an emergency resource to support veterans with various needs. Skalozub explained,
“It’s an emergency fund that helps our veterans with anything they need. Say you need to go to the hospital, you need medical equipment, or something needs doing in your house, it comes out of the Poppy Fund.”
Service Dogs Program
Among key initiatives financed by the fund is the program providing service dogs to veterans. These dogs perform vital roles, such as:
- Alerting veterans to PTSD triggers
- Signaling others during distress
- Monitoring for medical needs, including medication reminders
As lifelong companions, service dogs offer veterans, especially those living alone, a loyal and trusted presence. Each dog costs approximately $30,000 to train, a significant expense covered by the Poppy Fund.
Local Campaign Kickoff
The Poppy Campaign in Shelburne began on Saturday, November 2, 2025.
Notably, the Poppy Campaign has a long history, running for over a century and predating the current form of the Royal Canadian Legion.
Author's Summary
The 2025 Poppy Campaign in Shelburne highlights vital fundraising efforts to support veterans through emergency aid and essential programs like service dogs, underscoring strong community involvement.