How the Royal Canadian Legion is using technology to support the Poppy Campaign

For generations, the Royal Canadian Legion has used a box of poppies to raise funds to support veterans. Now he’s using technology to find a new way to help the cause.

As the old adage goes, “Cash is King”, but that may no longer be true for 21st century shoppers.

“I carry very little cash these days,” one person who spoke to CTV News said. “Maybe change in the car but definitely not the bills like before.”

This is a problem for the Royal Canadian Legion, which depends on people with cash on hand to contribute to its box of poppies.

“This is very important because the funds raised through the Poppy Campaign are what we use to support our veterans and their families,” said Ronn Anderson of the Royal Canadian Legion.

This prompted the Legion to come up with a new way to get donations – a poppies box equipped with contactless payment capabilities. Passers-by can donate $2, $5 or $10 with a tap of their card.

Lindsay Friesen, marketing coordinator at the Stu Clark Center for Entrepreneurship at the Asper School of Business, says it’s a smart idea.

“It definitely puts them ahead of them and gives them a chance to participate,” Friesen said. “I know so many people would just say I don’t have any cash on me or I don’t have a dollar to give away. It gives them the opportunity to participate and use that quick grab feature.”

Because of this added convenience, Lam An, a marketing professor at the University of Winnipeg, believes the tap boxes will help reach younger audiences and encourage them to donate money to the campaign.

“It’s not really an option, it’s a must-have,” An said, considering how consumers spend their money these days.

Anderson thinks tap boxes will become more widespread in use over time, although it will take some getting used to.

“I like counting money,” Anderson said with a laugh.

But he loves people who support veterans and their families, and he’s grateful for donations, no matter where they come from.