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VFW Auxiliary

“Buddy”® Poppy/ VFW National Home

2018-2019 National Ambassador

Renee Fulk

Unwavering Support for Uncommon Heroes tm

VFW Auxiliary

VFW “Buddy”® Poppy Program

Unwavering Support for Uncommon Heroes tm

VFW Auxiliary

Area of Emphasis

• Community Outreach

• Display Contest

Unwavering Support for Uncommon Heroes tm

VFW Auxiliary

VFW “Buddy”® Poppy Program • Established in 1922 • Assembled by disabled, hospitalized and aging veterans. • “Buddy”® Poppies are DISTRIBUTED FOR FREE,

NOT SOLD. • Donations from “Buddy”® Poppies distributed are added to

the Relief Fund and used to support veterans, active-duty military and their families through our Auxiliary programs.

Unwavering Support for Uncommon Heroes tm

VFW Auxiliary

VFW “Buddy”® Poppy Program Distribution Planning

• Identify volunteers • Choose distribution dates • Choose distribution venues • Get permission from business owners

Unwavering Support for Uncommon Heroes tm

VFW Auxiliary

VFW “Buddy”® Poppy Program Distribution Planning

• Publicize your distribution • Have a supply of membership applications and other

program materials • Smile, be enthusiastic and wear your name badge • Thank your volunteers and the business

Unwavering Support for Uncommon Heroes tm

VFW Auxiliary

VFW “Buddy”® Poppy Program Display Contest

• What are the three categories for the “Buddy”® Poppy

Display Contest? 1. Public Promotion of “Buddy”® Poppy Campaign

2. Memorial or Inspirational Displays

3. Artistic or Decorative use of Poppies.

Unwavering Support for Uncommon Heroes tm

VFW Auxiliary

Unwavering Support for Uncommon Heroes tm

VFW Auxiliary

Resources

• “Buddy”® Poppy Chairman’s Guide • VFW National Convention “Buddy”® Poppy Display

Contest Rules • “Buddy”® Poppy Story Cards • The Veterans Behind the “Buddy”® Poppy Video • The Veterans Behind the “Buddy”® Poppy Article • “Buddy”® Poppy information (VFW website)

Unwavering Support for Uncommon Heroes tm

VFW Auxiliary

VFW National Home

Unwavering Support for Uncommon Heroes tm

VFW Auxiliary

Area of Emphasis

• VFW National Home Health & Happiness

• VFW National Home Military & Veteran Family Helpline

Unwavering Support for Uncommon Heroes tm

VFW Auxiliary

VFW National Home

• Founded in 1925

• 42 single-family homes

• The National Home helps with: • Case management • Housing • Education • Daycare • Basic Needs • Recreation

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VFW Auxiliary

VFW National Home Health & Happiness Fund

• Provides for birthday, Christmas and graduation cheer for

youth. • Supports five buildings the Auxiliary has agreed to maintain.

• Chapel • Community Center • Guest Lodge • Health & Education Building • Nursery

Unwavering Support for Uncommon Heroes tm

VFW Auxiliary

VFW National Home Military & Veteran Family Helpline

Unwavering Support for Uncommon Heroes tm

VFW Auxiliary

VFW National Home Military & Veteran Family Helpline

• Helpline 800-313-4200

Add this number to your contacts for easy referral. (Thank you Sandi Kriebel for the outstanding idea!)

• FREE service that offers information, creates connections and gives hope to struggling military and veteran families.

• All calls are answered and no caller is turned away.

Unwavering Support for Uncommon Heroes tm

VFW Auxiliary

VFW National Home Military & Veteran Family Helpline

• Helpline 800-313-4200

• Provides: • Caring, compassionate listening. • Assistance to find lasting solutions. • Meaningful and relevant connections to services. • Partnerships across the nation with human service organizations,

veterans service groups and VFW Service Officers.

• It is a HELPLINE, not a hotline. • Calls are answered Monday – Friday (except holidays),

from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern time.

Unwavering Support for Uncommon Heroes tm

VFW Auxiliary

VFW “Buddy”® Poppy/National Home

• One cent from every “Buddy”® Poppy purchased goes to the VFW National Home!

Unwavering Support for Uncommon Heroes tm

VFW Auxiliary

Resources

• https://www.vfwnationalhome.org/