The County of Simcoe Paramedic Honour Guard is selling poppy centre pins and the profits go to help veterans among other causes.
Initially, the pins were sold just for paramedics because they couldn't wear a straight pin on their uniforms while working.
Then it evolved into a fundraiser in support of the Honour Guard to help with operational costs and training.
Now in its fourth year, the cause has expanded due to its huge success.
Cost of a pin is $4.
"The very first year we did so well we thought we want to give back to the Poppy Fund as well," said Frank Spiegelberg, Commanding Officer of the County of Simcoe Honour Guard.
The first year of the fundraiser paramedics gave $400 to buy a wheelchair in Collingwood for the Victoria Order of Nurses.
The second year they sold even more pins and were able to donate $800 to the Orillia Legion.
Last year there was a $1,000 donation to the Alliston Legion.
"We give money wherever we march as a Paramedic Honour Guard," explains Spiegelberg. "We give back to the Legion wherever we're marching. This year we'll be marching in Barrie so we'll give money to the Barrie Legion."
A portion of the proceeds also goes to the Canadian Association of Veterans in United Nations Peacekeeping (CAVUNP) - Central Ontario Chapter in support of Peacekeeper Park in Essa Township, the National Paramedic Memorial in Ottawa and the Provincial Paramedic Memorial in Toronto.
"On top of that, one of our paramedics passed away just last month and the Legion in Everett donated the space for his reception at his funeral, so we'll be giving back to them as well," said Spiegelberg.
The Honour Guard has purchased five-thousand pins to sell and might have to order more due to high demand.
The public can buy the pins at County of Simcoe Customer Service, 1110 Highway 26, Midhurst, or send an e-mail to [email protected]
