VFW to distribute ‘buddy poppies’

Proceeds to benefit veterans, widows and orphans|

Members of Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Bear Flag Post 1943 and its Ladies Auxiliary will be distributing Buddy Poppies from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 26, 27 and 28 at the following locations: Broadway Market, Friedman Brothers, Basque Boulangerie Café, CVS, Sonoma Post Office, Safeway, Rite Aid and Lucky Supermarket.

According to Post Commander Dan Parker, VFW bylaws state that the proceeds from poppy distributions must be used to benefit disabled and needy veterans, the widows and orphans of deceased veterans, active duty military morale programs, and patriotic historical commemoration. The Sonoma Post says it has helped more than 160 veterans and/or their families and active duty personnel over the past five years, and Parker says the need will be increasing as young veterans return to civilian life.

“Our goal is to raise $13,000 this year and we will use it all,” says Parker.

This past year, the post and its auxiliary provided $4,000 in assistance to veteran victims of the Valley Fire in Lake County who had been displaced to Sonoma County.

Parker also reports they have assisted over 100 veterans in the region either directly or indirectly, including gifts to Yountville Veterans Home residents, support of local Valley veterans in need, and have recently adopted the 235th Engineer Battalion SAPPER in Petaluma.

In 1923, VFW became the first veteran’s organization to promote a nationally organized campaign for the annual distribution of “poppies,” which are assembled by disabled or hospitalized veterans. More than 14 million poppies are assembled today and VFW and Ladies Auxiliary members raise more than $15 million annually from the distributions. Founded in 1899, VFW is the nation’s oldest major veteran’s organization with more than 1.7 million members.

To join, donate, or volunteer, call 938-3543 or visit VFWPost1943.org for more information.

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