Waubaushene Legion officials are saddened and disappointed by this weekend’s brazen theft of three poppy boxes from local businesses.
It all started Saturday afternoon when a local establishment called Royal Canadian Legion branch 316 president Michele Gouett to say their poppy box was missing.
“By the time I got over there with a new box, I got some details and then found out the box from Country Style had been stolen too,” Gouett said. “And then by the time I got to the Tim Hortons, the box had been removed from there as well.
“We are so devastated with the loss for our veterans. It’s very, very disappointing for our veterans who deserve the financial assistance.”
Gouett alerted Southern Georgian Bay OPP, who began an investigation that led to the arrest of Jeremy Nelson Bumstead, 46 years of Tay Township. Bumstead is charged with three counts each of theft under $5,000 and possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000 along with failing to comply with a probation order.
Gouett said the poppy fund has already been hurt this year since legions aren’t permitted to use taggers (veterans and Legion members who are often found in front of stores and other establishments with poppies and donation boxes throughout the days leading up to Remembrance Day).
“The money that is collected in the poppy boxes goes directly to the poppy fund of the branch,” Gouett said. “And that poppy fund is used to assist with our helping our veterans and their spouses.”
She said funds can be used for myriad needs, ranging from a veteran needing a new scooter battery to helping purchase ing personal items they can’t afford.
“In years past, we've had veterans who were unable to cut their grass or shovel snow so assist them that way,” she said.
“We also use that money to support provincial programs such as the homeless vet program that helps get veterans off the streets. It also goes to the bursary fund to help education for the grandchildren and children of veterans and Legion members. There's a lot of wonderful purposes for the money.”
After Saturday’s thefts, Gouett said she phoned other area branches to let them know what had occurred.
“As soon as this happened, I contacted Coldwater and Victoria Harbour branches. It's very disturbing and very disappointing.”
Gouett said the poppy box campaign donations are likely down this year since more people are using drive-thrus rather than going inside restaurants where the boxes are located.
“This year, the poppy fund is going to be very affected anyways because of COVID,” she added. “People are not in and out of stores the way they used to be.”
