"Buddy" Poppy / VFW National Home for Children 2018-2019
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“Buddy”® Poppy /
VFW National Home for Children
2018-2019
Diana Rudeen
4835 Arlington Street
Loves Park, IL. 61111
P: 815-847-0194
E: dmrsurvivor@yahoo.com
The Department President’s Theme for 2018-2019 is “Peace for all Veterans” and our
National President’s Theme is “Believe…We Can Do It”. This year Buddy Poppy and
National Home are together in their own program so emphasis can be placed on these
very important aspects of the VFW and Auxiliary. As a Department, we are encouraging
you to reach out to your counterparts in the VFW on all levels to offer assistance or
work a project together.
“Buddy”® Poppy Program
“Buddy”® Poppy History: The VFW
conducted its first poppy distribution before
Memorial Day in 1922, 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.
During the 1923 encampment the VFW
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, the VFW registered the name “Buddy”® Poppy with the U.S. Patent
Office. A certificate was issued on May 20, 1924, granting the VFW all trademark rights
in the name of Buddy under the classification of artificial flowers. The VFW has made
that trademark a guarantee that all poppies bearing that name and the VFW label are
genuine products of the work of disabled and needy veterans. No other organization,
firm or individual can legally use the name “Buddy”® Poppy.
“Buddy”® Poppy Program Today
These small but mighty memorial flowers have raised millions for the welfare of
veterans and their dependents. “Buddy”® Poppies are still assembled by disabled,
hospitalized, aging and needy veterans in five locations, with the VFW providing
compensation to the veterans who assemble the Poppies. The Poppy program also
provides financial assistance in maintaining state and national veterans’ rehabilitation
and service programs, and partially supports the VFW National Home for Children.
How to Order
• Contact your VFW Department Headquarters to order Poppies. (Poppies do not
need to be ordered through your Post).
• Request the order form from your Department Headquarters at least two to three
months (8 to 12 weeks) in advance of your distribution date.
• Brochures, “Buddy”® Poppy distribution supplies, and promotional items can be
purchased from the VFW Store at www.vfwstore.org or by calling 1-800-821-
2606.
“Buddy”® Poppy Distribution Tips
• Contact your city/town clerk’s office to see if a permit is required for your
distribution event.
• Get permission from the desired distribution location(s) store managers/owners
prior to promoting your “Buddy”® Poppy distribution event.
• Make sure all Auxiliary members know the time, day and place of your distribution
event.
• Share information about your distribution event with your local paper and on
social media. Post fliers in high-traffic areas such as grocery stores, coffee shops,
the post office, etc.
• Ask for assistance from youth groups such as VFW and/or Auxiliary youth,
JROTC, Boy/Girl Scout troops and faith-based youth.
• Ask volunteers to wear Auxiliary and/or VFW branded clothing to both promote
the Auxiliary and VFW and connect the distribution of Poppies to the organization.
• Remind volunteers they are NOT SELLING “Buddy”® Poppies but
DISTRIBUTING them for donations.
• Never refuse someone a “Buddy”® Poppy because they are unable to donate. A
“Buddy”® Poppy honors all veterans.
• See the VFW’s “Buddy”® Poppy Chairman’s Guide for further assistance in
setting up a “Buddy”® Poppy drive, as well as other helpful resources. The guide
can be found at www.vfwauxiliary.org/resources.
Honor the Dead by Helping the Living
• At the Auxiliary and Post level, all proceeds from Poppy drives are to be placed in
the Relief Fund with receipts and expenditures in accordance with the Treasurer’s
Guide and the National Bylaws. (Sec. 904)
• “Buddy”® Poppy drives can be done at any time during the year – not just
Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Try doing one at least once a quarter. If you
have enough volunteers, host a monthly Poppy drive.
• Distribution of “Buddy”® Poppies should be included in every Auxiliary, District or
Department activity including parades, patriotic events, membership drives, bingo
or trivia nights, etc.
• There are many creative ways to distribute the “Buddy”® Poppy including window
displays, posters, wreaths, remembrance walls, hats, event centerpieces, etc. Let
your imagination run wild!
National “Buddy”® Poppy Display Contest
• Takes place annually at National Convention.
• Displays are judged in three (3) categories:
1. Public Promotion of Poppy Campaign (Window, booth, parade, poster
displays, campaign promotions, etc.)
2. Memorial or Inspirational Displays (Wreaths, memorial tablets or plaques,
patriotic or devotional themes)
3. Artistic or Decorative Use of Poppies (Post Home displays, table centerpieces,
corsages)
• At least one Poppy used in the display must be in original form and color, with
label attached. This applies to all three (3) categories listed above.
• Details on District/Department/National Display Contest Rules included with
this program.
How to be REPORTED in “Buddy”® Poppy
• Hold a Buddy Poppy Drive
• Use Buddy Poppies in wreaths for patriotic holidays, corsages, centerpieces, etc.
• Enter a Buddy Poppy display contest for District and/or Department judging
• Auxiliaries or District can hold special Buddy Poppy contests, such as Buddy
Poppy Hat contest; involve the children for Buddy Poppy King and/or Queen;
educational flyer on the Buddy Poppy to hand out at school with the Veteran in
Classroom, etc.
VFW National Home for Children Nonprofit Overview ➢ Causes: Children & Youth, Health, Military & Veterans Organizations, Nursing Facilities, Seniors, Single Parent Agencies, Veterans, Youth Development ➢ Mission: The VFW National Home for Children helps military and veteran families find stability and positive change during times of crisis. ➢ Target demographics: military families, veteran families, VFW and Auxiliary members and their descendants ➢ Geographic areas served: nationwide VFW National Home for Children For more than 90 years, the VFW National Home for Children located in Eaton Rapids, Michigan, has helped military and veteran families who need a fresh start. Families can live there rent-free for up to four years and have access to professional case management services, on-site licensed child care, life skills training, tutoring and other educational services, as well as recreational and community service opportunities. Families find healing in a safe and peaceful environment of tree-lined streets, 42 single- family homes, facilities such as a gym, library, computer and science labs, day care center, playgrounds, fishing pond, hiking trails, and more! Founded in 1925 as a place where the families left behind by war - mothers and children, brothers and sisters - could remain together, keeping the family circle intact even when their serviceman didn’t come home, the VFW National Home for Children serves as a living memorial to America’s veterans by helping our nation’s military and veteran families during difficult times. Reintegration, post-traumatic stress, high unemployment, rehabilitation from battlefield injuries, emotional wounds, financial stress, fractured family relationships, hopelessness and more can be the outcome for families with a parent serving our country - now, recently, or from earlier generations. Over the years, the National Home has met the changing needs of America’s military and veterans’ families. Through it all, one thing has remained constant: The National Home’s commitment to honor our nation’s veterans and active-duty military by providing help and hope for their children and families. The National Home’s community is open to families of active-duty military personnel, veterans and - recognizing that the effects of war can last for generations - descendants of members of the VFW and the VFW Auxiliary. The family can be one or both parents with one or more children.
In accepting families to the program, only one thing is asked of them: They must be
committed to making changes in their lives. To remain at the National Home, they are
expected to demonstrate consistent progress toward family goals. Together, in
partnership with the whole family, the National Home is dedicated to helping each family
reach its full potential.
The VFW National Home for Children, a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation, is governed by a
seventeen (17) member Board of Trustees made up of VFW and VFW Auxiliary
members, who as Life Members of the National Home, are dedicated to the mission of
the National Home.
One way the Auxiliary supports the National Home is through gifts of 10 cents per
member to the Health & Happiness Fund. Contributions are critical since the campus
and its programs receive no government funding.
Donations can be made online in MALTA or by mail. To donate online in MALTA:
• Visit www.vfwauxiliary.org and select “Member Login”
• Log in to MALTA • Select “Make a Gift” from the Main Menu
• Select the “Make a Gift” button
• Enter the amount you would like to donate
• Enter payment information
• Select the “Make Gift Payment” button
• You will receive confirmation your gift has been made.
To donate by mail, send a check earmarked Health & Happiness donation to:
VFW Auxiliary National Headquarters
Attn: Health & Happiness Donations
406 W. 34th Street, 10th Floor
Kansas City, MO 64111
For more information, visit the National Home’s website at www.vfwnationalhome.org.
How to be Reported in VFW National Home for Children
• Donate to Health & Happiness
• for a Department Citation a 25¢ per member or more per member
• Attend Illinois Day at the VFW National Home for Children
• Become a Life Member of the VFW National Home for Children
• Make available the Military & Veteran Family Helpline 1-800-313-4200DEPARTMENT AWARDS
Auxiliary Awards
1. A Citation to all Auxiliaries that participate in both programs - Buddy Poppy and
National Home for Children by April 15, 2019.
2. A Citation to all Auxiliaries that promote the Military & Veteran Family Helpline
from VFW National Home for Children.
3. An Award and Citation to the Auxiliary Chairman with the best promotion of each
part of the “Buddy”® Poppy / VFW National Home for Children program in their
meetings. All parts of the program must be included and reports due to the
Department Chairman within 30 days of your meeting.
4. An Award and Citation to Auxiliaries with the best community outreach and/or
involvement of the “Buddy”® Poppy through distribution, education and publicity.
5. A Citation to all Auxiliaries who make a 25¢ or more donation to Health &
Happiness based on their June 30, 2018 membership total.
District Awards
1. A Citation to the District that participates in ALL parts of the “Buddy”® Poppy /
VFW National Home for Children program in the District meetings.
2. An Award and Citation to the District Chairman with the best community outreach
and/or involvement of the “Buddy”® Poppy through distribution, education and
publicity.Provided by the Illinois VFW
POPPY DISPLAY CONTEST GENERAL RULES
The rules governing the poppy displays for the 2017-2018 year will be in accordance with the national poppy display
contest. All entrants will comply with these rules. Your entry will be judged by them. All Districts are requested to
follow these rules as closely as possible when holding your display judging.
RULES
CATEGORY 1 - Public promotion of poppy sales: (Window, booth, parade, or poster displays, sales promotion, etc.)
A. Displays must be designed for public exposure and must bear a message urging the buying and wearing of the
VFW Buddy Poppy.
B. At least one (1) of the poppies used in the display must be in their original form and color, with labels attached.
CATEGORY 2 - Memorial or inspirational displays: (wreaths, 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 the activities
supported by the Buddy Poppy Program.
B. At least one (1) of the poppies used in the display must be in their original form and color, with labels attached.
CATEGORY 3 - Artistic or decorative use of poppies: (Post home displays, table centerpieces, corsages, pictures,
plaques, models, scenes, hats, novelty pieces, etc.)
A. Display not meeting the qualifications for categories 1 or 2 shall automatically be entered in Category 3.
B. Complete freedom shall be permitted in the use of poppies, poppy parts or poppy labels, and in the use of dyes or
paints in achieving the desired artistic effect.
C. At least one (1) of the poppies used in the display must be in their original form and color, with labels attached.
2. The scoring of the displays will be in accordance with the national rules. Originality - 25 points; Composition - 25
points; Neatness - 25 points; Poppy Story - 25 points; for a total of 100 points maximum. The Originality,
Composition, and Neatness are self-explanatory, with the Poppy Story as outlined in the Buddy Poppy Story.
3. Awards - There will be a First and Second Place Plaque awarded in each Division. Category One (1) must have
been on display at least three days.
4. A report of District judging must be sent to the Department Buddy Poppy Display Director prior to the Department
Convention. Any display not accepted at District level, or not entered in District judging, will be ineligible for State
judging.
5. All Displays entered and accepted at District level will be accepted for Department judging during the Department
Convention.
6. Forms for judging and reporting results will be passed out to the District Commanders at the February Council of
Administration Meeting, to be forwarded to each District Chairman.
7. Poppies to be used in display contests are to be ordered from VFW Department Headquarters, P.O. Box 13206,
Springfield, Illinois 62791-3206.
ALL DISTRICT CONTESTS SHOULD BE COMPLETED BY MEMORIAL DAY!!The Districts will award prizes to their winners at their discretion. Each District entry will be allowed to enter in the
Department Contest, in each of the three categories. However, they must remain in the category and division as
entered in the District judging.
Who may enter the contest? Any person or group of persons (except professional display builders.) The display
must be entered by Post or Auxiliary. All previous District or Department entries are ineligible for this contest.
Categories 1-2-3
A. Originality - Your own thoughts, ideas, notion, lighting, or sound in setting up a display.
Categories 1-2-3
B. Neatness - Self-Explanatory
Categories 1-2-3
C. Composition - The manner in which display is composed, and use of Buddy Poppies for effect.
Categories 1-2
D. Poppy Story - Ability to display to sell and induce the public to buy and wear poppy; tells the story of the
Buddy Poppy, its use of Poppy funds, by use of words, pictures or use of toys.
NOTE- No Poppy story included in category 3.
Judging-Point System - Categories 1 and 2 can earn up to 25 points in each of the above for a top score of 100
points. Category 3, which isn’t judged with a poppy story can earn up to 25 points in the other categories for a top
score of 75 points.
All ties will be broken by largest Buddy Poppy count.
POPPY DISPLAY CONTEST - STATE CONVENTION
All entries in the National Display Contest must be approved and sponsored by the Department Headquarters. No
other entries will be accepted by officials of the National Contest. The number of entries allocated to Illinois by
National Headquarters may be flexible, and in accordance with National’s rules. Department display contest winners
will be notified by Department Headquarters soon after the Department Convention. Special forms will be sent to
those eligible for entry in national competition. Do Not, Do Not…. take any entry to National without the proper
forms as it will not be accepted.
JUDGING: There will be four (4) judges, one of whom must be a member of the V.F.W. The other three (3) judges
should not be affiliated with the organization in any manner. Each judge will be assigned a specific area to judge. It is
suggested the V.F.W. Judge be assigned to the Poppy Story. All judges should be residents of the convention city.
The decision of the judges and that of the Buddy Poppy Director, and her assistants, will be final. During the judging
the entire area will be closed to all except the judges so as to insure impartial judging.
Let’s show that No One Does More for Veterans, and have another great year in the Buddy Poppy Display Contest.
Displays will be accepted at the Department Convention from noon to 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday of Convention
Week. No entries accepted after 4 p.m. Friday. Awards to be presented during the Saturday VFW business sessionYou can also read
