The Poppy Campaign of the local Royal Canadian Legion has bounced back from last year and raised over $50,000  in its 2018 fundraising drive for area veterans and their families.

Poppy chair Dave Usherwood says it's been a tremendous year for the annual campaign and the Legion thanks the public for making it possible to exceed their target.

"We are very appreciative of the community support we continue to receive and for the hard work of our many volunteers," says Usherwood

Proceeds from the campaign are used to support local veterans and their families in many ways. Among those are donations to the Cochrane Activettes food bank and to local seniors homes, like Bethany Cochrane and the Big Hill Lodge.

It's entirely a voluntary effort by Legion members, air and army cadet corps, Legion supporters and local businesses. Other than a small amount of funds to launch next year's campaign, all proceeds are used locally.

While an increase in population may have been a factor, Usherwood noticed they are receiving larger donations in the secure metal poppy cash boxes that are tethered to counters.

The boxes were launched for the 2016 campaign after an outraged Dan Kroffat spearheaded the initiative to have them manufactured when he learned a number of cash boxes were stolen in Calgary. The cash boxes are manufactured right here in Cochrane by EGB Manufacturing

"I think people really feel secure with the metal poppy boxes," says Usherwood. "We've noticed the donations are up in those particular boxes. People felt comfortable putting in $10 and $20 knowing it wouldn't be stolen."

To be clear, the local Legion hasn't had any of their cash boxes, plastic or metal, stolen in recent years.

The Cochrane branch of the Legion will soon be launching a drive to purchase further of the metal, tethered boxes. He's awaiting a quote to have 100 to 200 of the boxes manufactured to replace aging plastic collection boxes.

"I've already been told by at least one donor that he and others would be willing to step up, they just need to be asked," says Usherwood.

None of the funds raised from the Poppy Campaign can be used to purchase the metal boxes so other sources of funding are obtained. They currently use 60 of them in combination with hundreds of the plastic boxes. The Poppy Campaign also receives a substantial amount of donations for Remembrance Day wreaths placed at the Community Cenotaph on Remembrance Day.