Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary 3111 in Great Bend will have Buddy Poppies available for a donation at several locations this Saturday, Nov. 13, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Volunteers will be outside both Dillons stores, Perkins, Walmart, Walgreens, Sutherlands and Orscheln Farm & Home in Great Bend, and at GPS Kids, Hoisington. 

Barton County residents are encouraged to share their patriotism and support for veterans by making a donation and wearing one of the red poppies, said Doug Fuhr, Buddy Poppy chairman for the VFW Auxiliary Post 3111. The poppies are assembled by disabled and needy veterans in VA hospitals, who receive a nominal sum for their work. Proceeds from Buddy Poppy drives are used for aid, relief and comfort of needy veterans and members of the Armed Forces and their dependents, he added.

“In 1924, the VFW registered the name Buddy Poppy with the U.S. Patent  Office,” Fuhr said. “It represents the blood shed by American military service members and reminds  us of their sacrifices.”

Today, Buddy Poppies are distributed by VFW Posts and Auxiliaries in every state and dozens of other countries. According to the VFW, some 14 million poppies are distributed annually and more than $15 million is raised each year through their distribution, “all of it strictly accounted for and dedicated entirely to veterans’ welfare.”