SA Legion appeals for Poppy Day sellers to assist

EDITOR – Poppy Day – always a Saturday – this year coincides with Remembrance Day on Saturday, 11 November and, with your kind co-operation we’d like to make it a day to be remembered.

Not only would we benefit financially but we would simultaneously increase public awareness for the significance and importance of Remembrance Day.

Our appeal is not for financial assistance (although, of course, this would always be welcome and gratefully received) but for members of the public in the Durban area to sell poppies for us on Saturday, 11 November.

The South African Legion provides assistance to all ex-servicemen and women and their families in dire straits, and it depends entirely on donations to carry out its welfare work. It is granted only one Saturday each year for street collections. If members of the public could volunteer an hour or so of their time on that day to ‘shake a can’ at a shopping centre or mall close to where they live, the Legion would really be able to offer more to those in need.

This, of course, is one the Legion’s main functions and goes a long way towards satisfying its motto: “Not for ourselves but for others”.

The more collectors we have, the greater the income. For years we’ve relied heavily on a faithful group of volunteers but have difficulty in significantly increasing their number.

If you were to support our appeal and agree to assist in this regard, we believe we could greatly increase our database of collectors. We are sure there are many people, not necessarily military veterans, who would gain satisfaction and a great sense of accomplishment by becoming involved in this exercise. To offer your services, call Johann Kruger at the Durban office during the morning on 031-205-0578.

RICK ANDRIÉS

Chairman: South African Legion of Military Veterans

Durban branch