The Royal Canadian Legion’s annual poppy campaign began Friday.

Tens of thousands of volunteers from more than 1,400 Legion Branches took to the streets in their local communities to launch the 2016 campaign.

The poppy campaign is the Royal Canadian Legion's largest fundraiser and assists veterans and their families who are in need of financial assistance.

The assistance could include the provision of housing accommodation or care facilities, medical training and research, drop-in centres and meals on wheels, accessibility modifications and other quality of life needs such as wheel chairs, prosthetics or for transition programs for Veterans related to their training, education and support needs. 

According to the Legion, volunteers distributed more than 21 million poppies and supporting material last year.

“From the 2014 campaign financial statements, $17 million was distributed to Veterans who live in your communities," said Dominion President of The Royal Canadian Legion, Dave Flannigan.

This year marks the 95th year that the Poppy has stood as a symbol of Remembrance for all Canadians.

The campaign lasts until November 11.