BUDDY POPPY 

Carol Penrod

1629 Co Road 3500 N Ludlow, IL 60949

(217)840-0924

 

The "Buddy” Poppy has been a symbol of the VFW since 1922. The history of the "Buddy” poppy is a great tool to use when educating the public about what they represent and mean to every Auxiliary member and VFW member. The poem, In Flanders Field, written by John McCrae was inspired by these little red flowers and reminds us of the blood shed by the soldiers. These little red flowers have raised millions of dollars for the welfare of veterans and their dependents. There are two options for us to distribute as well, the traditional cloth poppy and the metal poppy as well. The "Buddy” poppy is a symbol that reminds us of the many sacrifices made by our Veterans while serving in our military and protecting our freedoms we enjoy every day. 

 

It all started over 100 years ago, in 1922 the VFW held its first Poppy distribution and became the first organization to distribute them throughout the nation. In 1924 the VFW registered the name "Buddy” Poppy with the patent office and were granted the trademark rights for the "Buddy” poppy and here our journey began!

 

 

Contact your VFW Post to order your "Buddy” poppy supply.

 

● Each poppy purchased by a Department for distribution contributes to:

○ One cent goes to the VFW National Home ○ One cent goes to the VFW National Headquarters Veterans Service Fund

○ One and a half cents goes to the Department’s Veterans Service Fund

○ "Buddy” poppy apparel, distribution supplies, and promotional items can be purchased from the VFW Store.

○ vfwstore.org

 

You can request an order form from your VFW post or the VFW Department Headquarters. Make sure you do this at least two to three months before your event. Also, you can speak with your VFW post and request they add additional poppies to their order for you to distribute.

 

 

Memorial Day and Veterans Day are popular days for "Buddy” poppy distribution. But DO NOT forget that ANY day is a good day for a "Buddy” poppy! I personally keep a stash in my car and distribute them regularly to people. You can do a poppy drive anytime you want to, the poppy represents a tribute to our Veterans who have sacrificed their lives for us.

 

● Talk to your VFW post about a joint poppy drive and split the proceeds.

● Contact your local clerk’s office and make sure you don’t need a permit for your event.

● Get permission from the desired distribution locations prior to your event.

● Social media is your friend! Share your dates, times, and locations before and during the event.

● Ask for help from local youth groups, JROTC chapters, Scouts, and any other local youth groups.

● Ask volunteers to wear Auxiliary or VFW branded clothing to promote our organizations.

● REMINDER we are not SELLING "Buddy” poppies but are DISTRIBUTING them for donations. Never refuse anyone a poppy for not being able to donate.

● At both the auxiliary and post level all proceeds from the "Poppy” drive must be placed in the RELIEF FUND with receipts and expenditures in accordance with the Treasurer’s Guide and the Podium Edition: Bylaws and Rituals.

● Any event your Auxiliary and Post are involved in is an opportunity to educate the public on the "Buddy” poppy including but not limited to parades, membership drives, bingo, potlucks, patriotic events, etc.

● See the VFW’s "Buddy” poppy chairperson’s guide for further assistance in setting up a "Buddy” poppy drive, as well as other helpful resources. The guide can be found in MALTA Member Resources. OFFICIAL NATIONAL "BUDDY” POPPY DISPLAY CONTEST

 

● Takes place annually at the National Convention.

● Displays are judged in 3 different categories.

● This is an official National VFW contest.

● Contest rules and judging guidelines are available in MALTA Member Resources. This is a VFW contest and the rules cannot change. If you have further questions after reading the rules and guidelines, please contact Lynn W. Rolf III at lrolf@vfw.org.

 

 

● Find details about the unofficial "Buddy” poppy display contest and VFW National "Buddy” poppy awards in MALTA Member Resources. > "BUDDY” POPPY PROGRAM AWARDS 

 

 

1. Citation and $25 to one VFW Auxiliary in each of the 10 Program Divisions for the most outstanding activity and/or event to educate their community about the VFW "Buddy” Poppy. Entry form is required and available in MALTA Member Resources. VFW Auxiliaries must send the required entry form to the VFW Auxiliary Department "Buddy” Poppy Chairman by March, 31 2027 for judging.

 

The VFW Auxiliary Department "Buddy” Poppy chairman must sign and send a copy of the completed Department winning entry form to the VFW Auxiliary National "Buddy” Poppy Ambassador by April, 30 2027 for judging. Citations will be mailed directly to the winning VFW Auxiliaries from VFW National Headquarters and money will be deposited into the VFW Auxiliary account after the 2027 Auxiliary National Convention. 

 

 

 1. An Award to the Auxiliary Chairman with the most outstanding and creative event using the "Buddy” Poppy to educate their community about the VFW "Buddy” Poppy. Reports are due to the Department Chairman within 30 days of the event. A report must be submitted by April, 15 2027.

 

1. Citation and $25 to one VFW Auxiliary "Buddy” Poppy Chairman in each of the 10 Program Divisions for the best promotion of activity and/or event to educate their community about the VFW "Buddy” Poppy. Winners will be announced, and citations will be presented at the 2027 VFW Auxiliary National Convention. Money will be deposited into the VFW Auxiliary Department account after the 2027 VFW Auxiliary National Convention for disbursement to the winning VFW Auxiliary Department Chairman.

 

2. The Outstanding Performance Award and Second Place Outstanding Performance Award will be awarded in each of the 10 Program Divisions based on the criteria listed on page 5 and for the promotion of the Ambassador’s Program goals. Winners will be announced, and citations will be presented at the 2027 VFW Auxiliary National Convention. Money will be deposited into the VFW Auxiliary Department account after the 2027 VFW Auxiliary National Convention for disbursement to the winning VFW Auxiliary Department Chairman.

 

 

"Buddy” Poppy displays can bring awareness to and educate the public about our organization and the "Buddy” Poppy Program. The "Buddy” Poppy display contest provides a great opportunity to team up with your Post, get creative, and have fun! Members of your community and local youth organizations can and should be invited to participate in the contest. 

 

POPPY DISPLAY CONTEST GENERAL RULES:

1. The rules governing the poppy displays for the year 2026-2027 will be in accordance with the national poppy display contest. All entrants will comply with these rules. Your entry will be judged by them. All Districts are requested to follow these rules as closely as possible when holding your display judging. RULES Category 1-Public promotion of poppy sales: (Window, booth, parade, or poster displays, sales promotion, etc.)

A. Displays must be designed for public exposure and must bear a message urging the buying and wearing of the VFW "Buddy” Poppy.

B. At least one of the poppies used in the display must be in their original form and color, with labels attached. Category 2-Memorial or inspirational displays: (Wreaths, memorial tablets or plaques, patriotic or devotional themes.)

C. Displays must be designed to honor the dead, to inspire devotion to God and country, or to dramatize the activities supported by the "Buddy” Poppy Program.

D. At least one of the poppies used in the display must be in their original form and color, with labels attached. Category 3- Artistic or decorative use of poppies: (Post home displays, table centerpieces, corsages, pictures, plaques, models, scenes, hats, novelty pieces, etc.)

E. Display not meeting the qualifications for Category 1 or 2 shall automatically be entered into Category 3.

F. Complete freedom shall be permitted in the use of poppies, poppy parts, or poppy labels, and in the use of dyes or paints in achieving the desired artistic effect.

G. At least one of the poppies used in the display must be in their original form and color, with labels attached.

 

2. The scoring of the displays will be in accordance with the National rules. Originality-25 points; Composition-25 points; Neatness-25 points; Poppy Story-25 points; for a total of 100 points maximum. Originality, Composition, and Neatness are self-explanatory, with the Poppy Story as outlined in the "Buddy” Poppy Story.

 

3. Awards-There will be a First and Second Place Plaque awarded in each Division. Category 1 must have been on display at least three days.

 

4. A report of District judging must be sent to the Department "Buddy” Poppy Display Director prior to the Department Convention. Any display not accepted at the District level, or not entered in District judging, will be ineligible for State judging.

 

5. All Displays entered and accepted at District level will be accepted for Department judging during the Department Convention.

 

6. Forms for judging and reporting results will be passed out to the District Commanders at the February Council of Administration Meeting, to be forwarded to each District Chairman.

 

7. Poppies to be used in display contests are to be ordered from VFW Department of Illinois Headquarters.

 

ALL DISTRICT CONTESTS SHOULD BE COMPLETED BY MEMORIAL DAY! The Districts will award prizes to their winners at their discretion. Each District entry will be allowed to enter the Department Contest, in each of the three categories. However, they must remain in the category and division as entered in the District judging. All previous District of Department entries are ineligible for this contest.

 

All ties will be broken with the largest "Buddy” Poppy count.