They offered red poppy buttonholes in exchange for donations to the RSA Welfare Fund, before Anzac Day memorial parades and services in Queenstown and Arrowtown on Monday.
Queenstown RSA president David Geddes yesterday said just over $12,000 was raised on Thursday, and the total amount was expected to be down by about 10% on last year's effort of $16,000.
"We're really chuffed.
"There's been a huge demand on people's generosity in the last few months. It's very, very pleasing."
The past few months had been tough for people, with earthquakes and other demands.
Veterans, personnel who served and representatives from Queenstown police, fire brigade, St John Wakatipu and youth groups, along with the public, will gather at the memorial gates on Monday, April 25, by 9.15am.
The Queenstown and Southern Lakes Highland Pipe Band will lead the parade through the CBD to the Queenstown Memorial Hall for the memorial service at 10am.
The padre for the service will be the Rt Rev Dr David Coles. Queenstown Lakes Mayor Vanessa van Uden will be guest speaker.
The dedication and wreath-laying will occur at the memorial cross, on the outside wall of the hall, about 11am, followed by morning tea.
The Anzac Day commemoration in Arrowtown begins with a gathering of Arrowtown RSA members, representatives of the emergency services, supporters and visitors, outside the Arrowtown Athenaeum Hall, at 10.30am.
Fr Michael Hill will lead the service in the hall and the guest speaker will be Eric Anderson, a former Invercargill judge and honorary Colonel of the 4th Otago-Southland Battalion.
The parade will march to Memorial Hill for wreath-laying, followed by morning tea in the bowling club rooms.
"It's become a very special day in Arrowtown," RSA president John Lindsay said.
"There's going to be a lot of people here for Easter joining us."
