The local branch of the Royal Canadian Legion has only begun its annual Poppy Campaign and already this powerful symbol of remembrance has become a common sighting.

Poppies are now available at over 400 locations in Cochrane. The local Legion also distributes poppies in the Springbank area and was recently recruited to bring them to some Kananaskis locations.

Bruens says the Legion remains grateful for the generosity demonstrated by Cochrane area residents for the campaign.

"We haven't set any goals for the campaign this year," she says. "We just always hope that we do better than we did last year."

She says last year's record-breaking drive will be hard to surpass, but they have their fingers crossed.

In addition to locating the poppy boxes at businesses, both army and air cadets will be stationed at major stores in Cochrane every weekend until Remembrance Day.

Canada's largest poppy fund collection box will also be used for the first time. It will initially be located at Cochrane's McDonald's Restaurant, 202-5 Ave., then at the SLS Family Sports Centre.

"If anybody else comes on board, then we will have to put them into the rotation as well," says Bruens.

The box was originally crafted by Roy Genung as part of a grassroots effort to raise funds to add finishing touches to the community cenotaph park.

Utilized, too, will be a growing number of secure poppy boxes. These boxes are the brainchild of Dan Kroffat, who wants to prevent collected funds from being stolen. On Oct. 21, it was announced 100 more of these boxes have been manufactured, thanks to Hunterwood Technologies and eight other companies that provided cash and in-kind services.

As Cochrane has grown, so too has the Legions team of volunteers distributing the poppies and wreaths. They recruited more hands to help with the campaign and expect to put out the call for even more next year.

On Oct. 25, Legion president Karen Bruen pinned a poppy on the lapel of Mayor Jeff Genung to officially kick off the annual campaign. She was accompanied by 1st vice-president Rob Orser and Legionnaire John Ferguson.

It's the first time they have done so.

"I'm honoured to be first, thank you, I appreciate the ceremony," Genung told the delegation. "Remembrance Day for me is the hardest thing to speak at. I try to bring a message to the community that is meaningful and every year I struggle with how can I be meaningful in such a space. It's very humbling, it's the hardest speech I give."

Nationwide, the Royal Canadian Legion uses the proceeds to aid veterans and their families. Funds raised here stay in the community.

The campaign continues until Nov. 11, Remembrance Day.