The Norwood Branch of the Edmonton Legion had two of its poppy boxes stolen ahead of Remembrance Day earlier this week.

Greg Laskey, the past president of the Norwood Legion branch, said it was an event he knew all too well.

“Unfortunately, it happens every year,” Laskey told CTV News Edmonton on Tuesday.

Both boxes were stolen from different Shoppers Drug Mart stores on Sunday and Monday this week. Laskey said as poppy box thefts become more common, legion organizers are looking for ways to make stealing donation boxes more difficult to loot.

“We had talked about metal boxes and locking them, but…the cost would be prohibitive,” the former president said, adding that electronic donation boxes are also a viable option.

“There are (about) a thousand tap boxes available across Canada, and we have distributed them to certain locations around the city,” Laskey said. “Unfortunately, there are more places that could use the tap boxes than we have available.”

According to Laskey, the Kingsway Legion branch has 20 to 25 tap boxes available to distribute around the city.

There are even digital alternatives to support veterans.

“I saw on Facebook, I think it’s my poppy.cayou can have a virtual or digital poppy on your particular page and make a small donation that way.”

Laskey said both pharmacies sent surveillance footage of the thefts to police, adding that he “hopes they are investigated.”

With files from David Ewasuk of CTV News Edmonton.