Purpose: The purpose of the Poppy Committee is to educate ALA membership and the public on the significance of the poppy and the program’s financial benefit for veterans, military, and their families. Standing Rules #6, National Committees – Mission Outreach.

Department President Robin Dorf’s theme is “Promoting our Mission by Working our Programs”. Please visit the National website, it has a lot of great information on the poppy program.

Beginning in 2021, the American Legion Auxiliary National Headquarters entered a formal partnership with Honor Flight Inc. to support their mission to celebrate America’s veterans by inviting them to share in a day of honor at our nation’s memorials by enabling our units and departments to directly donate funds generated from the distribution of our poppy — the symbol of the sacrifice of service made by our veterans, military, and their families.

1. Information about Honor Flights

   • Honor Flight Network​​

     • 20 years in operation​

     • Over 128 hubs across the country form Honor Flight Network

     • As of July 4th - 317,128 veterans honored since 2005

     • As of July 4th - 46,380 veterans on a waiting list

     • 501(c)3 nonprofit organization

   • Minnesota​

     • 87 counties with 295,703 Minnesota veterans​

     • 6 hubs that support Minnesota counties

     • Lone Eagle - Program of Honor Flight that serves veterans not served by hub

Support essential aspects of Honor Flights in your area.
Ways poppy funds may be used to support our veterans participating in an Honor Flight.

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For the veterans

• Food and nutrition

• Oxygen

• Wheelchairs

• Medical teams on each flight (one medic per bus — and there are sometimes up to six medics per flight — funds cover the medic’s food, identifying apparel, medical supplies, travel expenses, and hotel)

• Wheelchair-accessible buses

For the guardian (companion/caregiver who attends with the veteran)

• Airfare to accompany veteran on the trip

• Food and nutrition

• Hotel accommodations to remain with veteran during the trip

• Guardian training and associated needs to execute necessary tasks— food, room rental, medical training, and identifying articles of clothing

• When required — transportation to the airport and hotel the night before the flight with veteran

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2. Use of funds for Veterans and active military

• FUNDS COLLECTED BEFORE/AFTER AMERICAN LEGION RESOLUTIONS OF 2013 and 2014

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In accordance with The American Legion Poppy Program and Poppy Fund Rules, as revised in 2013 and 2014 by The American Legion National Executive Committee, Poppy Funds may only be used for:

• The rehabilitation of veterans honorably discharged from the United States Armed Forces after April 6, 1917.

• The welfare of the families of veterans of the above-named period.

• The rehabilitation of hospitalized military service personnel returning home and awaiting discharge who require treatment in service hospitals.

• The welfare of veterans, active military personnel, and the families of veterans and active military personnel of the above-named period where financial and medical need is evident.

• For the purpose of poppy kits and supplies used to make symbolic poppies and poppy items that will be distributed for donations to the Poppy Fund. All funds collected prior to the passage of this resolution be solely used for the intent and purpose of prior resolutions and not for active-duty American Legion Auxiliary Poppy Program Guide 7 service members or families. New funds collected after approval of this resolution may be used for active-duty military and families as outlined. All efforts be made to manufacture the poppies or poppy symbol items by veterans first, but in the event that demand is greater than this supply source, use of a commercial vendor which conforms with the restrictions on the use of The American Legion or the American Legion Auxiliary name and emblem may be used.

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3. Increase the number of poppy makers.

Same as last year we are down to a few Veteran poppy makers. The last few years we have had to purchase more poppies from other departments. This will cost the department to use funds that would be better spent on our veterans, because that is why we all are here. A fun way to do this can include:

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• District Poppy Paloosa Challenges

  • Invite surrounding Posts/Units/Interested Poppy Makers to join us​

    • Remember, Veterans get paid to make poppies!​

  • Poppy Snacks / Poppy Trivia / Poppy History / Large & Small Poppy Making​

  • These are just a few things we can do.

• Each District that hosts a Poppy Paloosa will be placed into a drawing for a gift to be selected by President Robin which will be presented at Department Convention.​

• The District that makes the MOST poppies between (September 1, 2025 – May 31, 2026) will receive a gift selected by President Robin and will be presented at Department Convention. (These are poppies that are made for our Department to help us from purchasing from other departments. All poppies made MUST BE verified with the Department Poppy Chairman for an accurate count. Call me or email me with your made poppy total that you have sent to Department.)

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The Poppy order form will be out in the September Newsletter. Remember to order early. Orders are due by December 1st, 2025.

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ITEMS THAT CAN BE PURCHASED FROM DEPARTMENT OFFICE:

1. Small Poppies - $25 sold per 100 + Shipping & Handling

2. Large Poppies - $18 sold per dozen + Shipping & Handling

3. Poppy Patch Magnet - $7.00 each + Shipping & Handling (See image below)

4. Poppy Bookmark - $0.50 each or $39 for 100 + Shipping & Handling (See image below)

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Units can purchase the small Poppy Making Kit and keep it at their unit, cost is $250 for 1,000 poppies. If you have any questions, please let me know. If I don’t know the answer, I will find it and get back to you.