My theme for the Poppy Program is “Building our Veterans a better life, One Poppy at a time.”
We all need to build our military. As Auxiliary members we must reach out to our schools, communities and tell our Poppy story and why our Poppy distribution is so important to our military. Talk to the principal of the school, teachers, and counselors, connect with area officials and make them aware of why we stand on corners of the streets and distribute Poppies. Get your Apprentices-Junior members involved, who can turn down a young member holding a poppy. National Poppy Chairman encourages us to use the image and story of the Flanders Field poppy to educate every one about the sacrifices of our military service members to raise awareness of the American Legion Family National Chairman Information is not available until after National Convention. Additional information will be published in the November ALA today and the fall packet.
Poppy Poster Contest
Remember when you contact the schools to make reference to the size of poster board. Poster board size is now 11 X 14. It is up to the sponsoring Unit-Post to make sure requirements are met prior to submission to Department. Another issue with the posters, the sponsoring post, and unit are not making sure the form which goes on the back of the poster is filled in correctly.
Department Plaques for 2024-2025 are:
Marsha’s Athletes: Unit with the best overall participation in the Poppy Program
Judy’s Circus Performers: Most new and innovative way or idea in raising funds for the Poppy Program
Personal Awards
$10.00 to Runner Up for Marsha’s Athletes Plaque
$10.00 Runner Up for Judy’s Circus Performers Plaque
OTHER DEPARTMENT AWARDS
1st, 2nd & 3rd place will be awarded at the Department Convention for the following:
Poppy Tray Favors
Poppy Corsage
Poppy Floral Arrangement
Poppy Hat
Poppy Apparel
Poppy Hanging-Non Holiday (ie: wall, wreath)
Poppy Holiday Hanging (ie: wall, wreath etc)
One additional change is the size of the index card which is attached to each entry. It must be 5 X 3.
WE increased winning prize money:
1st Place $10.00
2nd $8.00
3rd $5.00
We will once again have Little Miss Poppy and Miss Poppy
Watch for more information.
We can build a better life with our distribution of the Poppy!!
Sandra Kirby | sandra_kirby51@yahoo.com | 309-838-9065
Deadline for Department Plaques is May 1, 2025. Please use the Department of IL Award Submission Cover Sheet. Personal Awards deadline May 1, 2024.
Consider using your poppy funds to support one of the American Legion Auxiliary’s partners:
Support essential aspects of Honor Flights in your area. For more information, visit https://www.legion-aux.org/poppy-funds.
- Poppy funds may also be used to support food banks coordinated by the Armed Services YMCA. For further information, visit https://www.legion-aux.org/poppy-funds.
Resources from National:
- Log into the National website to access these items:
https://member.legion-aux.org/login?ReturnUrl=https://member.legion-aux.org/member/committees/poppy
Resources from National
- Poppy Program Guide
- Poppy Fact Sheet
- Poppy Day News Release
- Sample Poppy Proclamation
- Donation Can Label
- Poppy Bookmark
- ALA in Flanders Field Poem Bookmark
- Log into the National Website to Access these Items: Click Here
Department Resources