Buddy Poppy Drive - Volunteers Needed!
Saturday, November 14, 2026
Scan Below to Donate!!
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Help Us Reach Our Goal of $4,000
The annual Buddy Poppy Drive will take place on Saturday, November 14, 2026, and we're asking all members to help make it a success. Our goal is to raise $4,000 to support veteran assistance programs, community outreach, and services that benefit veterans and their families.
The Buddy Poppy is more than a symbol. It honors the sacrifices made by those who served our nation and represents our continued commitment to supporting veterans and their families.
Volunteer Information
Volunteers are asked to meet at The Post at 8:30 AM to pick up Buddy Poppies, donation containers, and receive location assignments before heading out to their designated sites.
Distribution Locations
Buddy Poppy teams will be stationed at the following locations:
- Hy-Vee - Conley Road
- Hy-Vee - Broadway
- Hy-Vee - Nifong Boulevard
- Westlake Ace Hardware - Nifong Boulevard
- Westlake Ace Hardware - Worley Street
- Bass Pro Shops
We Need Your Help!
The success of our Buddy Poppy Drive depends on the dedication of our members and volunteers. Whether you can serve for a few hours or throughout the day, your participation helps us reach more community members and move closer to our fundraising goal.
Every donation received through the Buddy Poppy program helps fund veteran support initiatives and allows our Post to continue serving those who have sacrificed for our country.
Together, we can make this year's campaign our most successful yet.
Contact Information
For more information, to volunteer, or to sign up for a location, please contact:
Jr. Vice Commander Jeremy Hellbusch
📞 402-298-6037
📧 jvc@vfwpost280.org
"Honor the Dead by Helping the Living."
Thank you for your support of our veterans, our Post, and our community. We look forward to seeing everyone at The Post at 8:30 AM on Saturday, November 14, 2026, as we kick off this important tradition and work together to achieve our $4,000 fundraising goal.
A Little History
The Buddy Poppy program was initiated by the VFW before Memorial Day in 1922, making it the first veterans' organization to organize a nationwide distribution of poppies. The poppy was adopted as the official memorial flower of the VFW, symbolizing the sacrifices made by veterans.
In 1923, the VFW decided that Buddy Poppies would be assembled by disabled and needy veterans, providing them with financial assistance. The following year, the Buddy Poppy factory in Pittsburgh began assembling the poppies. The name "Buddy Poppy" was registered with the U.S. Patent Office in 1924, granting the VFW exclusive rights to the name.
The Buddy Poppy program serves multiple purposes:
- Compensation: Provides financial compensation to veterans who assemble the poppies.
- Support: Supports state and national veterans' rehabilitation and service programs.
- Awareness: Raises awareness about the sacrifices made by veterans and the importance of supporting them.
The VFW encourages communities to host Buddy Poppy drives and issue special proclamations to show their support. The program also partially supports the VFW National Home, which provides assistance to military and veteran families.
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