Transparent about Poppy Fund

By Miriam Ostermann, Associate Editor

Board members of Strathmore’s Royal Canadian Legion Branch #10 are adopting a proactive approach regarding money allocated from the local Poppy Fund after reports of an audit into the Calgary Poppy Fund allegedly revealed misuse of funds.
According to a Global News investigation, the news outlet obtained a five-page document a year ago that shed light on a number of consequential allegations related to the misuse of funds. These include thousands of dollars spent on non-veterans, the issuance of improper charitable tax receipts, employee expense reports that were not reviewed and unaccounted medical equipment.
As a result, Strathmore Legion members are focusing on transparency and putting the minds of Strathmore and area residents at ease, by making their spending accessible.
“The accountant who did the audit saw fit to make it public, and there’s $32,000 that was given to a non-veteran,” said Irene Knappe, chair of the Poppy Fund in Strathmore. “Stuff like that is all coming to the forefront and they’re reiterating that the Poppy Fund belongs to the public, to the people who donated every penny. As such, I want to make us totally transparent for Strathmore and area, and let them know how their money is being spent so that there’s no fear in them donating at the next campaign.”
Strathmore’s Poppy Fund financial year starts on Oct. 1 and ends on Sept. 30. Since October 2017, $500 was provided to a member veteran towards bathroom renovations, two bursaries totaling $1,000 were given to two relatives of member veterans, $3,770 was approved by Provincial Command and provided a member veteran with an oxygen tank, $122 was gifted to a member veteran for two trips to Calgary for medical reasons, $1,000 was given to a member veteran going through a hard financial time, and $669 was made available for a member veteran to obtain a Lifeline Medical Alert System. Funds from the Poppy Fund also provided winners of the Remembrance Day essay contest with $650 worth of cash prizes – nine first prize winners received $45 each, while seven second prize winners were awarded $35 each.
Furthermore, 20 legion blankets were donated to veterans in Strathmore’s senior housing and lodges at Christmas, for a total of $400.
While the audit into the Calgary Poppy Fund is independent of Strathmore, the local legion hopes the community continues to trust and donate to the Poppy Campaign.
“We’re very embarrassed,” Knappe said. “It has nothing to do with Strathmore but people watch the news. We’ve had some problems here; money problems and with people. Now we’re being watched by command. We are responsible to the Poppy Fund at command in Calgary. I want to say, this is not us.”
Every Poppy Fund is subject to the Poppy Manual that provides, among other things, guidelines regarding the distribution of funds, information on veterans and their current family members who are eligible to receive donations, and the continuance of funds given.
The Royal Canadian Legion Alberta-NWT Command states branches can authorize up to $350 in assistance grants. Branches must report all distributions to their district commander along with the meeting minutes.
Money raised with the Poppy Fund is placed in a trust to be used to care for and support veterans and their dependents.
Donations made by residents of Strathmore or surrounding area to the local Poppy Fund are distributed within the area.