BUDDY POPPY & NATIONAL HOME

Buddy Poppy  
 
 Before Memorial Day in 1922, we conducted our first poppy distribution, becoming the first veterans' organization to organize a nationwide distribution. The poppy soon was adopted as the official memorial flower of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, as it remains today. 

During our 1923 encampment, we decided that VFW "Buddy"® Poppies would be assembled by disabled and needy veterans who would be paid for their work to provide them with financial assistance. The next year, disabled veterans at the Buddy Poppy factory in Pittsburgh assembled VFW Buddy Poppies. The designation "Buddy Poppy" was adopted at that time.

In February 1924, we registered the name Buddy Poppy with the U.S. Patent Office. A certificate was issued on May 20, 1924, granting our organization all trademark rights in the name of Buddy under the classification of artificial flowers. We've made that trademark a guarantee that all poppies bearing that name and the VFW label are genuine products of the work of disabled and needy veterans. No other organization, firm or individual can legally use the name Buddy Poppy.

Today, our Buddy Poppies are still assembled by disabled and needy veterans in VA Hospitals. 

The VFW Buddy Poppy program provides compensation to the veterans who assemble the poppies, provides financial assistance in maintaining state and national veterans' rehabilitation and service programs and partially supports the VFW National Home For Children. Show your support today. Host a Buddy Poppy drive in your town, or have your local government issue a special proclamation. 
 
 
National Home 

 The VFW Auxiliary works to honor and a make a difference in the lives of veterans, active-duty service members and their families. Two ways we do this are through the VFW "Buddy” Poppy Program and the VFW National Home for Children.
 

The "Buddy” ® Poppy/VFW National Home for Children Program:

·        Promotes and Supports the VFW "Buddy”® Poppy Program
The VFW conducted its first poppy distribution before Memorial Day in 1922, becoming the first veterans’ organization to organize a nationwide distribution. The next year, the VFW decided that VFW "Buddy” ® Poppies would be assembled by disabled and needy veterans who would be paid for their work. VFW "Buddy” ® Poppies are still assembled by disabled and needy veterans in VA Hospitals, providing compensation to the veterans who assemble the poppies. The poppy program also provides financial assistance in maintaining state and national veterans’ rehabilitation and service programs and partially supports the VFW National Home for Children.

·        Promotes and supports the VFW National Home for Children
For more than 90 years, the National Home has helped military and ‪veteran families who need a fresh start. Families can live there rent-free for up to four years and have access to professional case management services, on-site licensed childcare, life skills training, tutoring and other educational services as well as recreational and community service opportunities. Families find healing in a safe and peaceful environment of tree-lined streets, 42 single-family homes, facilities such as a gym, library, computer and science labs, day care center, playgrounds, fishing pond, hiking trails, and more!

·        Promotes the Military & Veteran Family Helpline
The National Home’s Military & Veteran Family Helpline is the first step on the path to help for ‪‎military and ‪veteran families. This free service helps callers with pressing needs nationwide seek solutions in their own communities. The Helpline is answered by caring professionals M-F 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Eastern, except holidays. Messages left after hours and on weekends are answered the next business day. Contact the Helpline at 800.313.4200 or help@vfwnationalhome.org.