The local success of the anti-theft poppy boxes spearheaded by retired professional wrestler and celebrity philanthropist Dan Kroffat, has left the Cochrane Legion looking to expand their inventory and Kroffat puzzled as to why the initiative has yet to catch on nationwide. “I’m curious why Legion Command hasn’t embraced the boxes,” said Kroffat, who launched the theft-proof boxes, designed and fabricated by Cochrane’s EGB Manufacturing, in fall 2016. “I’ve been in contact with a number of Legions and the consensus is that the boxes are a good idea ... they were also curious as to why Command won’t endorse the boxes,” said Kroffat, adding that members from all the Legions he spoke with would only discuss the issue anonymously. Kroffat said his only ask at this time from Legion Command is to agree to meet with him, as well as Veteran’s Affairs in Ottawa, to sit down and discuss possibilities. He said he would even cover the cost of his flight for the meeting. The Cochrane Eagle reached out to the Royal Canadian Legion Alberta NWT Command and was directed to Dominion Command in Ottawa, but were unable to obtain comment in time for deadline. Dave Usherwood, first vice-president of the Cochrane Legion and chair of the poppy campaign, said the secure metal boxes, which can be tethered to counters, have been very successful at not only preventing spontaneous theft but at drumming up bills over coins – likely because people feel their donations are more secure. “We are very supportive of the new boxes,” said Usherwood. “We have discussed and will be putting forward a recommendation to Legion management that we need to embark on a campaign to purchase at least another 100 boxes, or better 200.” Under the direction of Legion Command, Usherwood explained that no poppy campaign funds can be used to purchase the anti-theft poppy boxes at this time; rather, a corporate/business sponsorship must be sought to cover the costs to produce and procure the new boxes from EGB Manufacturing. Kroffat highlighted that the cost to the Legion is nothing, as the idea is to drum up corporate sponsorship to cover the costs of the boxes. Alex Baum of Cochrane Toyota donated the initial funds to purchase the first 60 boxes for Remembrance Day 2016. Usherwood said the requests for the secure boxes continues to grow, and more businesses previously uncomfortable with the older-style boxes, due to potential theft, have signed up for a secure box. The eventual goal is to replace the entire fleet of older boxes with the new breed. While final tallies are yet to come in, Usherwood said the Legion is hopeful to near its $50,000 poppy campaign goal this year – which would break its record to date. A little over two years ago, Kroffat’s initiative – for which he has made clear offers him no personal or financial gains – made headlines and was flagged as the solution to replace the flimsier poppy donation boxes found in most retail or commercial stores in the lead up to Remembrance Day. MP Blake Richards has been supportive of the initiative and has brought it to the attention of Parliament. To date, Legion Command has only reached out to Kroffat once to discuss the boxes and Kroffat said he has yet to hear back. Calgary Police Services said there were seven reported poppy box thefts reported this year, 27 in each 2017 and 2016. The Cochrane RCMP were unable to provide statistics relating to poppy box theft, but Usherwood has said that there has been some theft of poppy boxes in previous years. [email protected]
