Summerside Legion cancels poppy blitz due to volunteer shortage

The Summerside Legion's Remembrance Day poppy blitz won't be going door to door for the first time in 70 years due to a shortage of volunteers.

The decision to cancel the door-to-door poppy blitz was a difficult one, says Roy Crozier, chairman of the legion's wreath and poppy campaign.

"Every year it seems it's harder to get volunteers to do things. I know the other service clubs in town have the same problem, a few people do most of the work."

The poppy blitz has been a tradition in Summerside since the end of WW I.

Crozier says the campaign often brought in the largest donations.

"I know people that have emptied their wallet of all change, certain people waited for you to come around, put in a $10 or $20. It was very good response from those we got to."

Members say there's still a lot of support for the legion and its presence in the community, but many of the volunteers are now too old to help out and some have died.

The Summerside Legion once boasted more than 1,000 members, but now they are down to about 250, says Arthur Hiscock, a branch trustee.

"It's a choice of a number of clubs and the legion is not necessarily the top one for young people," he said.

The legion says it will consider resuming the door to door poppy campaign if it's able to attract more volunteers to do the work.

In the meantime, Crozier says he hopes the community understands why the legion had to cancel the blitz.

"For those who are disappointed and in good health, there's nothing like volunteering to help out," he said.