The Royal Canadian Legion in Portage la Prairie presented cheques to five community organizations on Friday. Legion Poppy chair Jo-Ann Barnes says the money came from the Legion's "Poppy Fund" and explains what that is.

"We presented the Poppy Funds to five different community organizations for $2,000 each cheque for a total of $10,000. It’s all from the Poppy Fund, which is money that was raised through poppy sales and sales of the wreaths that we lay on Remembrance Day, so all of the money is collected locally and it’s going back to the local community."

Barnes says it always feels good to see the money go to a local organization that needs it.

The five organizations to receive cheques were the Herman Prior Centre, Portage Hospital Foundation, Sunset Palliative Care, Douglas Campbell Lodge and Lions Prairie Manor.

Portage Hospital Foundation Executive Director Erin Miller explains what they'll do with the money

"We will be purchasing medical equipment and appliances for community health facilities which is, for us, the Portage Hospital and Douglas Campbell Lodge."

 

Sunset Palliative Care Volunteer Coordinator Aldene Moroz says the money they received will go toward renovations of palliative care rooms.

 

Hope Faschoway is the Executive Director of the Herman Prior Centre and notes their money will help out a lot with renovation costs.

 

Douglas Campbell Lodge Client Services Manager Colleen Fletcher says the money they received will help pay for a number of things.

"At Douglas Campbell Lodge we're going to be buying some rehab boots for our residents, as well as some recliner chairs. At Lions Prairie Manor they're putting it toward a door going into the dementia unit."