BUDDY POPPY

 

Before Memorial Day in 1922, we conducted our first poppy distribution, becoming the first veterans' organization to organize a nationwide distribution. The poppy soon was adopted as the official memorial flower of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, as it remains today.


During our 1923 encampment, we decided that VFW "Buddy"® Poppies would be assembled by disabled and needy veterans who would be paid for their work to provide them with financial assistance. The next year, disabled veterans at the Buddy Poppy factory in Pittsburgh assembled VFW Buddy Poppies. The designation "Buddy Poppy" was adopted at that time.

In February 1924, we registered the name Buddy Poppy with the U.S. Patent Office. A certificate was issued on May 20, 1924, granting our organization all trademark rights in the name of Buddy under the classification of artificial flowers. No other organization, firm or individual can legally use the name Buddy Poppy.

The VFW Buddy Poppy program provides compensation to those who assemble the poppies, provides financial assistance in maintaining state and national veterans' rehabilitation and service programs and partially supports the VFW National Home. 

 
 

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2023-2024 Buddy Poppy Program

 

Buddy Poppy orders are to be received at Department by December 31, 2023.


To meet the requirements of the All-State program a Post must order a minimum of 500 or 3 poppies per members.


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. 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 2,3, and 4, 2024.

Districts and Councils who have 100% of their Posts purchasing at least the minimum 500 or 3 poppies per member will receive a Certificate of Achievement from the Department of Michigan.

Citations 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 18, 2024.


Membership Divisions:

I—10 to 65 members

II—66 to 125 members

III—126 to 225 members

IV—226 members and over

 

If 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.

 

Bill Almy, Director

5351 Schaeffer Rd.

Ionia, Mi. 48846

616-540-0917

wtalmy@yahoo.com

 

Now that the Tin Tab Buddy Poppies are available for purchase, please make sure you are using the correct Buddy Poppy form for your order:  


Traditional Buddy Poppy Order Form 

New Tin Tab Buddy Poppy Order Form

 Buddy Poppy Award Form