The Taupō RSA has launched its annual Poppy Appeal for the month of April, with New Zealand Poppy Day collection taking place tomorrow, Friday 11th April.
Collection volunteers will be visible throughout Taupō tomorrow, with RSA Secretary Phil Constable confirming widespread collection efforts.
"Tomorrow is our Poppy Day and we'll have collectors out and about all around town," Constable told Lake FM. "They'll be walking around the streets with collection buckets and selling poppies and we'll have tables scattered all around town as well."
The RSA has placed collection boxes at more than 50 local shops and cafes across Taupō for the entire month, giving residents multiple opportunities to donate.
Constable emphasised that all donations collected in Taupō remain in the community to support local service personnel and their families.
"Poppies are sold in Taupō, all the donations remain here in Taupō and they provide support to our local service persons and their families," he said. "We can provide a range of support – one-off support with things like dentists or more specialist health appointments, or helping with grants in times of hardship. We've helped people out of domestic violence situations, so it's a real broad support network."
The Poppy Appeal leads into ANZAC Day commemorations on 25th April, with the Taupō RSA hosting a Dawn Service at 5:50am at the Taupo War Memorial Cenotaph outside the Great Lake Centre.
"The parade will be marching from the car park around the back on Story Place and we'll be marching around up Tongariro Street and into the Cenotaph," Constable explained.
Additional services include a Taupō District Council-hosted Civic Service at 10:30am at the same location, and a Cemetery Service at 9am at the service section of the Taupō RSA cemetery. Services will also be held in Mangakino and Turangi.
Veterans, current service personnel, youth groups and community members wishing to participate in either the Dawn or Civic Service parades should report to parade marshal Master Air Loadmaster (Rtd) Donald Kerr at the rear carpark of the Great Lake Centre. Full service dress equivalent with medals is requested.
