The Paynesville VFW Auxiliary will be selling Buddy Poppies on Friday and Saturday, May 12 and 13.Lois Nehring (center) presented the winners, Erica Geurts (left) and Chelsey Kalkbrenner (right), with their prizes for being the winners of the American Legion Auxiliary poster contest.
The Buddy Poppies are assembled by disabled veterans and have become recognized as a memorial flower. Since 1922, the VFW has conducted an annual Buddy Poppy Sale. The funds raised help veterans and veteran's hospitals across the state, plus needy veterans, widows, and orphans in the Paynesville area.
"Some 14 million Buddy Poppies are sold annually with the majority sold before the Memorial Day holiday. Please give a generous donation and wear your poppy proudly," co-chairs Pat Liestman and Evelyn Moore urged.
Legion Poppy Days
The Paynesville American Legion Auxiliary will be distributing the familiar red hand crafted poppies on Friday and Saturday, May 19 and 20, Poppy Days.
Posters made by the fifth graders at the Paynesville Area Elementary School will be displayed in local store windows.
The Legion Auxiliary selected two posters to advance to the next level of competition. Winners were Chelsey Kalkbrenner, first place; and Erica Geurts, second place. Project advisor for the poster contest was Trish Skahan.
All proceeds received during Poppy Days are used in programs for the benefit of the veterans and their families.
Each poppy is made by veterans in auxiliary sponsored poppy shops that supplement physical and psychological therapy needed by hospitalized and disabled veterans. The veterans make the poppies and are paid a small amount for each one.
No matter what the cost of maintaining and supplying the poppy shops, the memorial poppy is never sold, but given in exchange for a donation.
"Wear your poppies proudly," Lois Nehring, poppy chairperson, said. "We are proud of our veterans and this is one way of showing them we care."