Dear Editor,

I’d like to thank Russell Edem for the article in Friday’s paper covering our Buddy Poppy days. 

We appreciate the support on the community on this project.

This year our Poppy Drive is scheduled Nov. 4-11. For the first year we are blessed to have young volunteers helping us out. You will see some very thoughtful youngster out helping with this project.

In Hoisington, there will be youngsters who attend GPS Kids Club out and about during the week, either with poppies or with Debbie Stephens and her staff visiting with local businesses hoping to place poppies and donation cans at their place of business. These youngsters have helped in the past couple of years clearing the grounds at the cemetery in Hoisington and then going back out to place flags for Memorial Day services. It makes all of us, especially the veterans, proud to see the respect this effort represents.

In Ellinwood, there will be young people out on Saturday with poppies and donation cans helping with this project. They are members of GBHS bowling team, who have volunteered and will be out after they finish their bowling on Saturday morning, Nov. 10.

This is especially helpful to us as these locations have either lost their Post and Auxiliary or their members are of the age that it is no longer possible for them to do these drives. We are all working toward the same goals and the help these funds represent have no boundaries. Any veteran, no matter their location, benefit from these Poppy Drives. The number for the VFW National Home’s Military Veterans Family Help line is 1-800-313-4200.

In Great Bend, volunteers from both the Post and the Auxiliary of Post 3111 will be out at area businesses on Saturday Nov. 10, with poppies and donation cans to accept donations and hand out the Buddy Poppies. Public support is greatly appreciated. We would like to see everyone out there wearing a Buddy Poppy to show support for all military, those who served in the past as well as those serving today. We have been blessed with so many freedoms today due to their sacrifices made in the past as well as those making sacrifices today. Remember “All Gave Some — Some Gave All”.

There will also be Poppy Donation cans at many area businesses here in Great Bend. We thank those businesses who are showing their support of our Buddy Poppy Program. It is greatly appreciated.

“THANKS” for your continued support.

Marge Bieberle

Auxiliary Buddy Poppy Chairman