Dear Editor,
On behalf of the American Legion, Legion Auxiliary, American Legion Riders and the SAL, we would like to thank the whole Great Bend community for their tremendous support of the American Legion Auxiliary Poppy Program. We had teams of volunteers out on Saturday of Memorial Day weekend at four locations: Orcheln’s, Dillons, Walmart and True Value.
Thanks to your Friday article which informed the public that we had only received 1,000 poppies, many people in the community donated money and asked us to save the poppies for others so that we could continue distribution. As it turned out we got record contributions for 1,000 poppies, almost as much as we received last year for 2,000 poppies. We had lines of people wanting to donate and participate and still finished in just three and one-half hours
Rhonda Gabel was our poppy chairman this year, and this year introduced a Poppy Coloring Contest at the primary schools. The response was phenomenal with about 200 entries from kindergarten through sixth grade. All of the coloring contest entries were very well done, and it will be difficult to determine the winners.
Rhonda was a great leader, dedicated, inspiring to all of us. At each location some of our Legion Riders “flagged” up their motorcycles to help attract the public’s attention, and it definitely worked.
It is very apparent that the Great Bend Community believes in their veterans. We are proud of all of you.
As you know, all poppies are made by disabled veterans, and all donations are strictly used for veterans. Last year, our portion of the donations were used for our annual Fort Dodge Soldiers Home Christmas Gift event.
Thank you Great Bend for showing your support of our Veterans and our Country.
God Bless America!
Carol Danielson,
American Legion,
Great Bend