Prince George, B.C. – This year’s poppy campaign kicks off Friday at 10 am at Pine Centre Mall. 

The Poppy has been the Symbol of Remembrance since 1921. It is the visual promise that those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in war and military support operations, will not be forgotten.

“I think last week is certainly going to make people more aware of what’s happening and people are responding. So I think this poppy campaign will be very successful again this year.”

He says just over $80,000 was raised last year noting it was their best campaign ever and that Remembrance Day continues to get “bigger every year.”

Gabriel says all funds raised go towards veterans and their families for things like wheelchairs, hospital beds and to help fund important services for veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

But more important than the money raised he says is “to have as many people wearing poppies as possible,” whether they donate or not.

Later this morning Lieutenant Governor Judith Guichon will be presented with the first poppy of the Royal Canadian Legion BC/Yukon Command’s 2014 Poppy Campaign at Government House in Victoria.