Airdrie’s local Legion (Royal Canadian Legion (RCL) Branch 288), presented 10 students and veteran progeny with a helping hand in the shape of $30,000 in student bursaries, on July 14.
During a formal cheque presentation, the Airdrie Legion awarded each student with $3,000 to be used towards their education, thanks to “Poppy Funds” raised through the Legion’s annual Poppy Campaign.
As part of the campaign, each year, from the last Friday of October to Nov. 11, poppy pins are sold as a visual pledge to honour Canada’s veterans, with all donations held in trust at the branch level to support veterans and their families in their community.
Gail Nicholson, service officer of the Airdrie Legion, said she came across the bursary program whilst reading through her “Poppy Manual” in training for her position in January of this year.
“I put the word out to friends and family about this as I did not know, and my dad was a veteran,” she said in an email statement. “I posted on our Airdrie Legion Facebook page and spread the word through our membership and received 10 bursary requests.”
According to Nicholson, a committee reviews each request to ensure they meet the requirements of the program and then presents them at the Legion’s general meeting where Legion members and executives cast their vote.
She added, from there, she submits all paperwork to the higher-ups for final approval.
“It is important for our community to be aware that their Legion has this program that supports our youth and their educational endeavours,” Nicholson said.
“I also feel it is important for our community to know where some of the funds are distributed they so generously donate to during the Poppy Campaign every year.”
She added local veterans identified student bursaries as an important contribution they fought for and added the Legion supports the initiative “wholeheartedly.”
“The Royal Canadian Legion is committed to supporting veterans and their families and offers financial assistance for post-secondary education to those in need,” read a statement on the RCL’s website.
According to the RCL, as part of their commitment to veterans and their families, local branches may grant bursaries through the Poppy Trust Fund to the children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of veterans who require financial assistance to pursue post-secondary education.
“These bursaries can make a difference for veteran’s families and offer these children an opportunity to further their educational goals,” the statement continued.
According to RCL, local branches and provincial commands develop their own eligibility requirements, deadlines, and application procedures, adding bursaries may be granted at any stage of a college or university program.
Nicholson said the Airdrie Legion does not require a specific deadline to apply for the program, but she recommends thinking about sending the application in March to allow time for processing and to ready funds in July for the fall semester.
“Students can apply every year and the amount will vary depending on the amount of funds raised during the annual Poppy Campaign,” she said. “It can be $500 and up to $5,000 depending on the branch.
“Our Airdrie Legion was able to award 10 $3,000 bursaries thanks to the generosity of our community, volunteers, and Legion members.”
To learn more about the Airdrie Legion, or to participate in a free membership drive happening now for those qualified, visit legion.ca/join-us/veteran-welcome-program
