Today (Nov. 7) is your last chance to pick up your poppy at one of the Pop-Up Poppy drive-thrus being manned throughout the business community by members of the local branch of the Royal Canadian Legion.

Legion volunteers will be at several locations in Cochrane today between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. to safely distribute the poppies. Besides the Legion Hall on 5th Ave., they'll be stationed at Save-on-Foods and Safeway and at other major downtown businesses.

Because of COVID-19, innovative ways to distribute the poppies have been incorporated.

With the Pop-Ups, you simply drive up, make a donation, and receive this iconic symbol of Remembrance.

While it is a challenging year for the poppy campaign, the need to assist area veterans is as great as ever.

All donations made locally remain in the Cochrane area to support veterans. It also assists two cadet units.

"Those funds cannot be used for our Legion expenses," says Legion branch president Karen Bruens, who is also district commander. "They are used for veterans and their families. So, if a veteran comes to us and needs help, then we deal with it at the local level. If it's something beyond the local level, then we make sure they have the footprint for where they need to go."

Members of the 3013 Cochrane Army Cadets and the 952 'WestJet' RCACS air cadets will not be able to participate this year. They traditionally distribute poppies at larger stores and grocers in the community.