Allegations of an individual masquerading as a Okotoks Legion member have been proven untrue.
An article published by the Western Wheel reported the legion received word from a member of the community warning that a man was frequenting local businesses selling a $20 coupon booklet with proceeds said to be going toward the legion, the Veteran's Association Food Bank in Calgary and Ukraine humanitarian relief.
Fundraiser organizer Keenan Tameling said the man in the initial reports has indeed been working for veteran's charities for more than two decades and is a part of an third-party fundraiser for True Patriot Love, a non-profit based out of Toronto.
"It was a real gut punch to see those things," Tameling said. "It just felt like a wildfire."
True Patriot Love brand strategy and communications senior director Sarah Barker confirmed the third-party fundraiser is legitimate.
After selling approximately three booklets at Hub Town Brewery, a patron recorded the seller's vehicle information and licence plate before reporting him to the police.
When RCMP caught up with the man, he explained he was from True Patriot Love. Sgt. Sukh Randhawa confirmed to the Wheel that the fundraiser is perfectly legal.
Profits from sales will be distributed to local causes in the Calgary and Okotoks area, Tameling said.
"That was really important to us when we decided to partner with them," he added.
