The local Poppy Campaign officially kicks off tomorrow with cadets selling poppies at six major retailers downtown.

The Cochrane branch of the Royal Canadian Legion has set a goal of $50,000 for the two-week campaign, with all proceeds staying in the Cochrane area to aid local veterans and support local causes.

Members of the 952 ‘WestJet’ Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron will be selling poppies on Saturday, Oct 27 at Canadian Tire, Mark’s No Frill’s, Safeway, Save-On-Foods, the SLS Family Sports Centre and Walmart. The following Saturday, members of the 2512 Kings Own Army Cadets will take their turn. On the final Saturday of the campaign, Nov. 10, the two will split duties.

Poppies have also available for purchase at countless Cochrane retailers since last week.

Poppy chair David Usherwood says the generous support received by Cochrane area residents has been remarkable over the years, even with the downturn in the economy. Last year contributions dipped to about $40,000 after peaking the year previous just shy of $50,000.

With a population over 25,000 people, he says it amounts to just $2 per person to surpass the target.

“I think it’s doable,” says Usherwood. “We are fortunate to have a remarkable community that supports us and our initiatives."

There has also been an increase in the number of businesses supporting the campaign.

It’s a busy time for the volunteers of the Legion, especially in the 100th anniversary of the armistice signed to end the First World War.

As they have in the past, the Legion and cadets will be working together to mark the burial plots of those who fell in service to our nation.

Cochrane was a mere village of 400 people when the First War World broke out, and over 30 people lost their lives in the conflict.

While many of the burial plots are known, Usherwood says they believe there are more, some perhaps on private land, and have a team gathering information.

“We would like to visit all those burial plots and mark their headstones with a Canadian flag, recognizing that we remember them.”

Legionnaires will be called upon to participate in numerous Remembrance Day ceremonies at the 20 area schools.

On Nov. 11, you can expect hundreds to join the town service that starts at the Cochrane High School and ends at the beautifully revitalized community cenotaph on 5th Ave. next to the Legion Hall.