The Edmonton Legion’s Norwood branch had two of its boxes of poppies stolen before Remembrance Day earlier this week.

Greg Laskey, former president of the Norwood Legion Branch, said it’s an occurrence he’s all too familiar with.

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

The two boxes were stolen from different Shoppers Drug Mart locations on Sunday and Monday of this week. Laskey said with poppy box thefts becoming more common, organizers at the legion are looking for ways to make donation box theft more difficult to rob.

“We talked about metal boxes and closing them, but … the cost would be prohibitive,” the former president said, adding that touch-to-donate electronic boxes are also a viable option.

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

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

There are even digital alternatives that support veterans.

“I saw it on Facebook, I think it is mypoppy.cayou can have a virtual or digital mac on your page. and you can make a small donation this way.”

Laskey said the two pharmacies have sent police surveillance images of the thefts, adding that they “hope they are being investigated.”

With files from David Ewasuk of CTV News Edmonton.