The annual Poppy Campaign fell short of last year's record, but when combined with the major contributions to the cenotaph re-creation project, it has been a good year for recognizing and helping our veterans.

Legion Poppy Campaign chair David Usherwood estimates they have raised about $40,000 and while that's short of last year's record $48,000 he believes it has been another great year of generous support by Cochrane residents.

"I don't think we'll get close to the record, but that doesn't mean I'm disappointed," says Usherwood. "We didn't lose any poppy boxes and the community was very generous. We're very very pleased overall."

When you combine that with the funds raised to complete phase one of the community cenotaph park, Cochrane continues to be highly supportive of the Legion and our area's veterans.

"That may have been part of the reason why we didn't set a record, but we shot for it, we didn't get there but I'm very pleased with the community's support of the Legion's Poppy Campaign."

"It's still not flush times, so it's a record that can try to be broken in subsequent years and it will at some time, but we'll let the future look after that."

The campaign is actually year run from Sept. 1 to Aug. 31, but the two weeks prior to Remembrance Day by far sees the largest amount of funds contributed. 

The money raised stays to help local causes that support veterans and their families. Much of it goes to local seniors residences and individual families of veterans. Contributions are also made to food banks that support veterans and in addition, they supported the STARS air ambulance last year.

"If anyone needs an emergency lift by helicopter we know STARS is there and that is a valuable service to the community and helps the veterans and veteran families as well; so it's an all-encompassing gift back to the community."

In the near future, the Legion will be formally making presentations to many of the causes supported by the Poppy Fund.