Just prior to the kick-off of our annual Poppy campaign, we asked for your continuing support so that we can continue to do the necessary work on behalf of our Veterans and their families. Despite some challenges posed by the continuing pandemic, you responded to this important initiative greatly. Through your generosity, Poppy Campaign revenues for 2021 have exceeded $19,000 and for that our members and especially our Veterans say, thank-you.

We are also grateful for the partnership that has been created with the Town of Pelham in relation to the Veterans Banner initiative and the sponsorship of the fly-by that occurred during our Remembrance service held on November 11th. Finally, we extend our thanks to the students and staff of Niagara College’s Broadcasting, Radio, Television and Film (BRTF) program for live-streaming our November 11th service that was viewed by over 1000 people and to The Voice of Pelham which provided us with great exposure prior to and throughout our 2021 Poppy campaign.

With gratitude,
Members of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 613

Please click on the image below to view our digital Remembrance Day program.

As we approach the end of October, our Branch has finalized our plans for the annual Poppy campaign and Remembrance service. We hope that after you read this article, many if not all your questions will be answered.

Our Poppy campaign committee has been meeting regularly since the beginning of September to develop our 2021 plans. We also have been working with the Town’s Fire and By-Law Services staff to ensure that our plans are consistent and align with the Town of Pelham’s expectations related to public health measures. We know that in previous years in late October and early November, the citizens of Pelham have pinned a poppy to their lapels and then on the eleventh day of the eleventh month, they have paused for two minutes to honour and remember those who have served and continue to serve our country. For that, our Branch members and especially our veterans say, “thank you.”

This year, the Executive Committee of our Talbot Trail Branch has decided to hold only one Remembrance service. This service will take place on November 11, 2021, beginning at approximately 10:45 am., in Veterans Park on Legion grounds.

The November 11th service will once again have some safeguards built into the program. Some of the measures we have adopted again for this year include the elimination of the March On/March Off parade and the pre-laying of wreaths prior to the commencement of the service.

We invite the residents of Pelham to attend our service and given that it is unlikely that all attendees will be able to effectively social distance, the wearing of face masks is requested. Once again, we are pleased to advise that our service will be live-streamed to allow Pelham residents to participate virtually, courtesy of Niagara College’s students and staff from the Broadcasting- Radio, Television and Film (BRTF) program.

The live stream link is https://livestream.com/accounts/15502389/legion613-2021. Weather permitting, there will be a fly-by during the service. Similar to last year, there will not be a gathering in the Lloyd King Hall after the completion of the service.

Our annual Poppy campaign will take place during the period of October 29th to November 11th inclusive. Members of the planning committee have canvassed businesses and organizations who have accepted Poppy collection boxes in previous years and we are pleased to advise that they have agreed to take the boxes once again. Similar to last year, you will not see active canvassing by our members, veterans and army cadets outside the businesses around the Town.

We are asking the citizens of Pelham for your continuing support of our Poppy campaign which raises funds to sustain a variety of programs and initiatives to assist veterans and their families as well as sponsoring cadet and youth programs and making available bursaries for the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of our veterans. We also make financial donations to entities like Camp Maple Leaf, a not for profit sleepover camp for children of military families, the Niagara Health Foundation and the Juravinski Cancer Centre through our Poppy Fund. More information on the uses of the Poppy Fund can be found at www.on.legion.ca.

If you are inclined to support our campaign in 2021 without accessing the Poppy collection boxes, you can send us a cheque payable to the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 613. We also accept payment at our Branch via cash, credit card or debit card. You can also affect payment by using e-transfer at br613rcl@cogeco.net. Under the “comments” section, please insert “Poppy Fund donation.” Please note the best time to visit the Branch is between the hours of 12:00 pm., to 7:00 pm., each calendar day. Finally, there are two “Poppy tap boxes” available for use during this year’s campaign. They are located in the Meridian Community Centre and Shoppers Drug Mart respectively.

On behalf of all our veterans and members of Branch 613, we thank you in advance for your continuing support of our Poppy campaign. Pelham residents have always responded favourably to community-based initiatives, and we are hoping you will do so again for our 2021 Poppy campaign!

Best regards,
Members of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 613
141 Hwy. 20 E., P.O. Box 42
Fonthill, Ontario L0S 1E0
Phone number: 905-892-6293
Email: br613rcl@cogeco.net

Proud recipient of a 2021 Niagara Region Impact Award!