The Slovak Legion Branch #129's Southside Poppy Campaign Supports Local Healthcare in a Big Way!
Published Thursday, December 14, 2023
The Slovak Legion Branch #129’s Southside Poppy Campaign Supports Local Healthcare in a Big Way!
by Torin Gunnell
Today, Remembrance Day, marks the wrapup of the Royal Canadian Slovak Legion Branch #129’s annual, seasonal Poppy Campaign on Thunder Bay’s south side. The Poppy Campaign is an initiative spearheaded by local Legion volunteers. The campaign as a whole operates in over 1,400 branches both within Canada and internationally.
The Legion organizes many volunteers at a variety of south side businesses and stores to ensure community members have a poppy to wear to recognize and remember our Veterans.
The donations that people give for their poppies support many community causes. Proceeds from last year’s Poppy Campaign supported local healthcare in a big way.
The Legion donated $20,000 to the Health Sciences Foundation for both cardiac and vision care. It donated $10,000 to support the purchase of new equipment for the replacement of one of the Cath Labs at the Hospital. These labs play a crucial role in procedures such as angiograms and over 500 angioplasties annually.
Equally significant, it also donated $10,000 to the Lions Vision Care Centre. The funds will assist in obtaining a vital piece of medical equipment, the Zeiss Opmi Lumera 700, designed for intricate ophthalmic surgeries like cataract removal.
Mr. Vic Renouf, President of The Royal Canadian Slovak Legion Branch #129, together with Co-Coordinators Jeanetty Jumah and Susan Kondreska, formally presented the donations in October. These dedicated individuals were at the forefront of the Poppy Campaign's efforts, tirelessly working to support our community.
Jeanetty Jumah, Co-Coordinator of the Thunder Bay Legions Southside Poppy Campaign on behalf of the Royal Canadian Slovak Legion Branch #129, knows how crucial healthcare services are in our community.
"Numerous veterans in our community, especially those advancing in age, heavily rely on these medical services,” said Jeanetty. “We recognize the immense benefit provided by the Hospital to these veterans and their families. Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to the Health Sciences Foundation for its pivotal role in securing funds. This ensures our hospital can persist in offering essential services to our community and the regions beyond."
Glenn Craig, President & CEO of the Foundation, extended his heartfelt thanks, reiterating the importance of the Legions’ donations. "It is through partnerships like these that we can ensure a brighter and healthier future for our community.”
(centre In Legion uniform) Vic Renouf, President of The Royal Canadian Slovak Legion Branch #129 and Jeanetty Jumah, together with staff from both the Cardiac (left) and Vision Care (right) areas at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, which both received $10,000 donations from the Legion’s 2022 Campaign.