Fort Erie’s two branches of the Royal Canadian Legion are separate organizations with a common goal this time of year: raising funds for local veterans.

Both branches are officially launching their efforts on Oct. 31 by sending poppy boxes and people to local stores to collect donations.

Scherri Teal is the poppy fund chair for Branch 71 and said a target of about $40,000 is being set. However, she said the past two years have been tough, as about half that amount has been brought in each time.

“We’re really hurting,” said Teal. “I don’t know if it’s the economy, and people are scared and holding on to their pennies.”

To compensate for less donations in recent times, Teal said legion members are connecting with new businesses, ones that may have not provided financial support to the le

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