2022-2023 Buddy Poppy Program
The VFW Buddy Poppy Program provides compensation to the Veterans who assemble the poppies and provides financial assistance in maintaining state and national Veterans’ rehabilitation and service programs. Poppies are to be ordered by December 31, 2022.
District Chairmen: Present your program at your first District meeting. Make sure each Post in your District has appointed a Post Buddy Poppy Chairman. Challenge them to buy more than they did the previous year. Remind them that all Buddy Poppy donations received are to be placed into the Post Relief Fund and used for that purpose only. A healthy relief fund is always important, but it is especially important today with the problems brought on by the current Covid-19 pandemic. Emphasize to all your Comrades that they are helping Veterans by purchasing the poppies and by seeking donations for them. Buying and collection donations for poppies puts our motto of "NO ONE DOES MORE FOR VETERANS” into full practice. Note: National also allows the use of Scouts to collect Buddy Poppy donations for Posts. The fundraising dates for Buddy Poppies are May 5,6,7, 2023.
Districts and Councils who have 100% of their Posts purchasing at least the minimum 500 poppies will receive a Certificate of Achievement from the Department of Connecticut.
Posts who double their previous years amount purchased will receive a Certificate of Achievement from the Department of Connecticut.
Individual award plaques and a $100 VFW Store Gift Card will be awarded to the Post member in each of the four membership divisions who collects the largest amount of donations during the Buddy Poppy Fundraiser. The name of the fundraiser and the amount collected are to be verified in writing by both the Post Commander and Post Quartermaster and are to be received by the Department Buddy Poppy Director no later than May 20, 2023.
Membership Divisions:
I—10 to 65 members
II—66 to 125 members
III—126 to 225 members
IV—226 members and over
At the 2023 Mid-Winter Conference there will be a Buddy Poppy display contest with a plaque being awarded to the winner in each of the three categories below:
Category I—Public promotion of the Buddy Poppy Campaign (window, booth, parade, poster displays, campaign promotions, etc.).
A. Displays must be designed for public exposure and must feature a message soliciting a donation for a Buddy Poppy.
B. At least one Poppy used in the display must be in its original form and color with label attached.
Category II—Memorial or Inspirational display (wreath, memorial tablets, or plaques, patriotic or devotional themes).
A. Displays must be designed to honor the dead, to inspire devotion to God and Country, or to dramatize activities supported by the Buddy Poppy.
B. At least one Poppy used in the display must be in its original form and color with label attached.
Category III—Artistic or Decorative use of Poppies (Post Home displays, table centerpieces, corsages, pictures, plaques, models, scenes, hats, novelty pieces, etc.).
A. Any display not meeting the qualifications for Categories I or II shall automatically be entered into Category III.
B. At least one Poppy used in the display must be in its original form and color with label attached.
To meet the requirements of the All-State program a Post must order a minimum of 500 buddy poppies.
If you have any questions concerning the Buddy Poppy program, or if you would like me to attend your Post or District meeting to discuss the program, you may reach me at the phone number or email address below.