Legion poppy campaigns start early in 2026
Chris Abbott
Editor
Royal Canadian Legion, Delhi Branch 125, launched its 2026 Poppy Campaign on Oct. 23, presenting the first poppy to Mike Columbus, longtime Ward 3 councillor.
“The highlight of this poppy campaign is that we are starting a week early,” said Trudy Ingraham, Poppy Chair. “Going forward, it’s going to start every year on Oct. 24, which will give us a longer campaign.”
Volunteers will be out on Nov. 7 for tagging day between 10-3, with poppies at 5-6 locations in Delhi, where they will be accepting donations. There are also more than 100 poppy donation boxes in various local stores.
New this year, volunteers will have an optional ‘soft point of sale’ app on their phones for poopy donations, for people who have ‘tap’ debit cards or credit cards.
This year is the 100th of the Royal Canadian Legion in Canada.
The Delhi Branch 125 will also be continuing its ‘No Stone Left Alone’ campaign, which started last year in the Delhi area.
“It’s a stone, painted black, with a poppy and the words ‘Lest We Forget.’ Students from the local public and Catholic schools gather at the cemetery on Nov. 4 at 10:30. There will be a small ceremony, and each of the students will be playing a stone on the grave of one of our fallen soldiers that is laid to rest in our area. We will also add a stone to graves not in this cemetery.”
On Nov. 11, Delhi’s full annual Remembrance Day ceremony happens at the cenotaph starting approximately 10:40 a.m., with wreath laying for Veterans, first responders and dignitaries.
“After, everyone is invited back to the Legion for a light lunch. In the evening we will have our Remembrance Day dinner, which we do every year. All of these events are open to the public – everyone is welcome to take part with us, Remember with us. The whole idea is Remembering.”
The Branch 125 poster contest is in full swing, featuring art, stories and poems. Students from any area school, or homeschool students, are eligible to enter. Reach out to Ingraham for more information.
“There’s prizes at all levels. The winners even have the opportunity to represent us at the Dominion level.
“The idea is for the students to reflect on their Remembrance and what Remembrance Day means to them. And there are different ways. Not everybody is artistic to draw a picture. But others can be artistic in their voice, so a poem or small essay allows them to take part in the contest as well.”
There will also be a public speaking contest coming up in the months ahead, open to Delhi and Courtland students.
2028 will be the 100th anniversary of the Delhi Legion. Ingraham can be reached through the Legion at 519-582-2740 or email br125poppy@outlook.com.
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