Avon VFW Holds Annual Buddy Poppy Drive

From Avon VFW: The Gildo T. Consolini Post 3272, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW),c, Connecticut announces its annual Buddy Poppy Drive. This event raises money to support over 25 veterans’ charities providing relief to current and past servicemen and woman. Their Annual Buddy Poppy Drive will be held at various locations in Avon, Canton and Simsbury from May 18-28, 2017.

The familiar red paper poppy, normally worn in the lapel, is a symbol from WWI memorialized in a poem written in 1915 by John McCrae about Flanders Field, Belgium, where, in 1914, American soldiers were engaged in battle in the fields of poppies that grew there. Historically, the VFW conducted its first buddy poppy distribution before Memorial Day in 1922, becoming the first veterans' organization to organize a nationwide distribution. The buddy poppy soon was adopted as the official memorial flower of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.

Military veterans of the Avon Post, with help from the VFW Auxiliary, will be distributing poppies at Walmart in Avon, Stop & Shop in Simsbury and Shop Rite in Canton during the 11-day event. While it is not required, donations are accepted. Last year, the Post raised over $25,000 which was distributed to a highly-rated veterans’ causes, including such local ones as the Veterans Oasis Centers at Tunxis Community College and Central CT State University; Connecticut’s Operation Stand Down for homeless veterans; Veterans Home in Rocky Hill, CT, among others. If requested, the Post sends relief packages to current military servicemen and women from the area. As this mission is of highest importance to the members of the Avon VFW Post, they appreciate the public’s support.

In order to make a private donation to the Annual Buddy Poppy Drive, checks can be made out and sent to: Avon VFW Post 3272, P.O. Box 297, Avon, CT 06001. Please note in the memo line: For Poppy Drive

Image via Avon VFW