Lions John Johnstone, Sandy Marr, Larry Vanrae and Peter Morgan have assembled hundreds of bamboo sticks and plastic poppies. (Photo courtesy Janice McClenaghan.)
Port Stanley Lions are painting the community red, selling nearly 600 re-usable lawn poppies in recent weeks to commemorate Remembrance Day. All proceeds go to the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 410.
If you don’t have one, there’s still time to buy more. About 200 are available.
The plastic poppies are designed to decorate front lawns, windows, gardens or grave sites, to remember the fallen. The Lions ask that the community put the poppies on display from November 1, 2021 to November 11, 2021, “to create a Sea of Red in Port Stanley and area for Remembrance Day.”
“It’s a great thing that the Lions are selling the poppies,” said Legion President Rich McClenaghan. “Poppies are a symbol of the veterans and Legions. I’m looking forward to seeing the poppies on many lawns and gardens in the area.
“All of the proceeds go directly to the Branch 410,” added McClenaghan. “Thank you to the Port Stanley Lions Club for promoting and supporting the Legion with their great fundraiser.”
The poppy design is a registered trademark of the Royal Canadian Legion Dominion Command, and the Lions are using it under license. Poppies measure 12 inches in diameter and about 24 inches tall. Prices are: one for $10, three for $25, six for $50 12 for $100, 24 for $200, 36 for $300, 120 for $1,000.
If anyone wants some poppies, they’re invited to send their name, address, telephone number and quantity of poppies to bobnemett@gmail.com. Poppies must be pre-ordered. They will be available for pickup at the Legion on October 16, 2021, at 12 noon.