In one of his last official duties as mayor of Kelowna, Colin Basran was presented the first poppy this morning.
The presentation marks the start of the Kelowna Legion's annual campaign.
Basran, who was defeated by former Chamber of Commerce president Tom Dyas, in the Oct 15 election, remains in the post until the new council is sworn in Nov. 7.
"Every year, we start off the campaign by presenting the first poppy to our mayor," explained the president of Kelowna Legion Branch #26 Darlene McCaffery.
"It's a big day."
The annual campaign means everything for the Legion and McCaffery pointed out how donations are used locally.
"We are the gatekeepers, you might say," said McCaffery, "to be able to use this to serve in the community."
And the funds go to help with a lot of causes you can feel good about.
"Hospitals, veterans, their families, bursaries and some of the seniors' homes, JoeAnna's house, hospice," listed McCaffery. "I could go on forever."
"You've got to feel proud," said McCaffery, about wearing the poppy.
"That you're supporting a good cause that desperately needs help."
But it's about more than money.
"These poppies represent the people that allowed us to live in a free country."
