Please read and feel free to print and share all information provided in your Poppy Packet.

Transcription

1 Poppy Day Dear Unit President and Poppy Chairman, Please read and feel free to print and share all information provided in your Poppy Packet. The distribution of the red crepe paper poppies has become a familiar tradition in almost every American community since the inception of the American Legion Auxiliary Poppy Program in The Poppy Program raises community awareness by educating the public about the symbol of the poppy and respect for sacrifice of service made by our veterans. The financial impact of the distribution of the memorial flower directly assist disabled and hospitalized veterans in our communities as well as providing therapeutic rehabilitation. Tips to elevate community awareness and how to have a successful Poppy Day 1. Contact the Local Media & News Paper two weeks in advance and ask them to help you get the word out about your poppy drive. 2. Print flyers and post them around town. 3. Set up in front of a grocery store or Wal-mart, because they are always busy. 4. Draw attention to your table with balloons, centerpiece, a banner with your units name and a printed poster of where donation goes. 5. Only have one person working the table and one person on every entrance. 6. Every member working the drive must have a hand-full or basket of poppies and a donation can with DONATIONS printed on it. 7. Approach every person that enters or exit the store and ask for donations for disable veterans. 8. Have fun, but most of all remember that you are there to raise funds and not to socialized with each other, so make every minute count. (This has worked for me on every fundraiser I have ever participated in. I use this technique with our unit s poppy drive and on the average we raised anywhere from $700 to $1100 in donations). Page 1

2 Have Fun and Get Creative with your Poppies Promote Poppy Day during the month of May for Memorial Day and in November for Veterans Day. Make the memorial poppy very visible to the public by promoting the Poppy Posters in your community schools. Print flyers and post them around town asking kids to participate in Poppy Poster Contest. There is publicity help available from Emblem Sales and news releases for the media that will be sent to you periodically. I have enclosed a sample of a proclamation proclaiming Poppy Week to help assist your unit. I encourage all the units to plan ahead, get creative with your poppies and participate in the following contest; Poppy Poster Contest: Promote the Poppy Poster Contest in your community schools. The posters need to be sent directly to me by June 1 st. Information and guidelines are enclosed in your packet. Poppy Centerpiece & Hat Contest: the Poppy Centerpiece and Hat Contest will be held at convention. The poppy centerpieces and hats will be judged at convention. We will have a hat parade if we have enough entries. Poppy Corsage Contest: The corsage contest will be held at the Mid Year Convention. We need 250 corsages that will be given to our own Girl State Delegates. If you need more poppy s for your unit any time of the year, there is always some available thru the Department. Please feel free to contact me if you have any assistants with the Poppy Contest or if you have any suggestions. POPPY/COMPETITIONS & AWARDS Chairman: Julie Dominguez Aysse 526 Milleman Street Palisade, CO Ph. (970) (I work nights on Tuesday, so please leave a message and with the latest time I could call and I will retune your call after 6 pm. During the week) Page 2

3 Eleanor Rothbarth Poppy Plaque Award Criteria Department President s theme MANY HANDS WORKING TOGETHER Entries are to be in a standard file folder, such as those that are colored and have pockets and prongs. Entries are to be sent to the Department Poppy Chairman: POPPY CHAIRMAN Julie Dominguez-Aysse 526 Milleman Street Palisade, CO Phone (970) palisadeala@gmail.com Please fill out the enclosed application for the contest and send to the address above. All entries must be four (4) pages and will be judged on a point system based on a total of 100 points. THE FOLDER First Page 10 points A. Picture of the Unit President or the Poppy Chairman B. Unit Name and Number C. Year Second Page 20 points A. Poem In Flanders Field B. Poem typed, centered and double-spaced Third Page 30 points Theme for will be a centerpiece no longer than 22 x24. You may incorporate the Department President s theme & state how many poppies were used to create your entry. A. A picture or drawing of your piece, 10 points. B. The centerpiece will be displayed at the Department Convention, 10 points. C. Candidates will display their centerpiece in a parade at convention, 10 points. Fourth Page 40 points A. A written essay of not more than 200 words on your Unit involvement in the Poppy Program and the Unit s unique uses/ideas for the Poppy. B. Include pictures of the above. Page 3

4 Poppy Contest Application Poppy Chairman Name: Phone: ( ) Address: Unit Name: Unit # City: (Please fill in area that applies to items being entered in contest). CENTERPIECE & HAT Theme of Poppy Centerpiece: How many poppies used Centerpiece: How many poppies used in Hat: Centerpiece Designed by: Hat Designed by: CORSAGE How many poppies used Corsage: Corsage Designed by: POSTER Title of Poster: Name of poster designer: Name of School: Age : Grade: City: Please note: Make a copy of the application and mail it with poster directly to me by June 1 st. Please mail to: POPPY CHAIRMAN Julie Dominguez-Aysse 526 Milleman Street - Palisade, CO Phone (970) Page 4

5 Only A Paper Poppy Only some paper petals with two leaves of paper too only a paper poppy. Does, it mean anything more to you? The red is for the courage of the ones who fought and bled and then came back to spend their days in the ranks of the living dead. The green of the leaves reminds me of the sunny hillsides over the sea where rest the war torn bodies of those who died that war might cease to be. The cup that is formed by the petals covers a heart of gold. It stands for a labor of love whose value can never be told. Only a paper poppy but it holds the hopes and fears of numberless and their love ones as they carry on through the years. Page 5 Anonymous

6 American Legion Auxiliary Media Fact Sheet NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS 8945 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN Contact: Stacy Poca, or Memorial Poppy WHAT: Seven million memorial poppies are distributed each year by American Legion Auxiliary members across the country to provide a therapeutic activity for veterans, raise awareness and raise funds to help veterans, military service members and their families. Red crepe paper poppies symbolize the sacrifices made by our military service members. Two million dollars are donated by people receiving the poppies each year. Up until recently,100% of the donated funds were used to help veterans. Due to the great needs of today s military families, The American Legion recently voted to expand the use of newly-collected funds to active duty service members and their families who demonstrate a financial or medical need. Most of the funds collected stay in the communities where they were collected. Veterans who make the poppies are paid a small stipend for their efforts. The poppy was inspired by the famous wartime poem, In Flanders Fields by Lt. Col. John McCrae, which begins In Flanders Fields the poppies blow between the crosses row on row (see attached for full text) The tradition of the memorial poppy can be traced to a single individual beginning in November 1918, Ms. Moina Michael, who bought a bouquet of poppies and handed them to businessmen where she worked. She asked them to wear the poppy as a tribute to the fallen of World War I. WHO: The American Legion Auxiliary has nearly 800,000 member volunteers serving veterans, military service members, and their families. There are 22,658,000 veterans in the U.S. military.* That is 7% of the U.S. citizenry, based on 2010 census data. Founded in 1919, the American Legion Auxiliary is the world s largest women s patriotic service organization. Its mission to serve veterans, the military and their families is carried out through hundreds of outreach programs delivered by its member volunteers. Page 6

7 WHEN: Memorial poppies are generally distributed on patriotic holidays such as Memorial Day and Veterans Day each year. WHERE: Poppies are distributed in various places throughout local communities. American Legion Auxiliary members can be found with poppies on sidewalks, in front of stores, at local meetings and more. American Legion Auxiliary members are active in more than 9,000 communities nationwide and around the world. The American Legion Auxiliary s National Headquarters are located in Indianapolis. To learn more visit WHY: Our volunteer military has been fighting American s longest war for 12 years. Less than 1 percent of Americans serve in uniform today, but they bear 100 percent of the burden of defending our nation.** Currently, more than 2.2 million service members make up America s all-volunteer force in the active, National Guard, and Reserve components. Fifty-five percent of the force is married and 40 percent have two children.** Only 37 percent of our families live on military installations; the remaining 63 percent live in more than 4,000 communities nationwide.** There are 1.8 million veterans age 35 and younger.* Their lives have been changed forever by their service to our country, and like all veterans, we owe them a debt of gratitude in making sure they are cared for. There are 3.5 million veterans with a service-connected disability.* There were a record high number of veteran suicides in 2012, and the suicide rate among active duty has increased 15% in the last two years. One veteran commits suicide every 80 minutes.* *From the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs **From President Obama s Strengthening Our Military Families report, January 2011 Page 7

8 Poppy Programs and Activities - Poppy Poster Contest 1. Units shall sponsor contests in local schools. When schools do not conduct activities, other youth groups including junior members may participate under direct supervision of the unit. 2. The contest shall have seven classes: Class I Grades 2 and 3 Class II Grades 4 and 5 Class III Grades 6 and 7 Class IV Grades 8 and 9 Class V Grades Class VI Grade 12 Class VII Students with special needs defined as: a. Those in special education classes. b. A student recommended for special education classes, but who has not been admitted due to a waiting list or various other factors. c. A child identified as having a disability, but not in a special education class due to lack of facilities; identification contingent upon discretion of school officials. Poppy Poster Requirements: 1. Each poster shall have a fitting slogan not to exceed 10 words. Articles a, and, an, the are not to be counted as words. The words buddy and buy cannot be used. 2. The words American Legion Auxiliary must be used in the design of the poster and will not be counted in the l0-word count. 3. Each poster must include a picture of the Flanders Poppy in the correct color (four red petals with a center of green and black). 4. The poppy shall have four petals and no leaves. 5. The department shall determine the closing date of the unit contest. The poster shall be on 11 x14 poster board. (Drawing paper will not be accepted). 6. The United States flag may be used as long as there are no infractions of the flag code. 7. Posters will be judged using the following criteria: a. 50% -- poster appeal (layout, message, originality) b. 40% -- artistic ability (design and color) c. 10% -- neatness 8. Media used shall be watercolors, crayons, powder or oil paint, handmade paper cutouts, ink or textures, acrylics, pencils and markers. 9. Written in ink on the back of the poster (not attached) shall be the class in which the entry is submitted, the name, address, age and grade of the contestant and the name of the department. Page 8

9 DRAFT For examples on how to implement each objective in this refer to the How To component at the end of this Poppy 4 Poppy 10. The poster shall be the work of only one individual. 11. No humorous drawings or slogans shall be used. 12. The label In Memoriam from the veteran-made poppy may not be used. 13. When the Holy Cross is used, the Star of David also shall be used. Judging and Awards JUDGING 1. Each department shall establish its own procedure for judging. 2. A citation will be given for the most outstanding poster in each classification within the five divisions. 3. All entries are due to the division chairman by May 1, The division chairman will send the best overall poster from her division to the Auxiliary magazine editor by June 15, 2014, so the photographs of the winning posters can be published. Only one winner from each division will be accepted. 5. While department and divisional will do their best to return all posters, it is not guaranteed. We recommend participants take a picture or scan their poster for their records. Page 9

10 Poppy Funds Poppy Funds May Be Used For The Following: 1. Rehabilitation of veterans honorably discharged from the U.S. Forces after April 6, For the welfare of families of veterans of the above-named periods. 3. For the rehabilitation of hospitalized servicewomen and servicemen awaiting discharge who require treatment in service facilities. 4. To defray the expenses of Children & Youth and VA & R Chairmen and Committee members of Facility Volunteer Schools in attending authorized conference at which they are accredited representatives. 5. To defray the administrative expenses of Service Departments provided that both The American Legion and Auxiliary Departments approve such use of funds within the Department. 6. For the transportation expenses of Facilities and Field Service Volunteers. 7. For purchase of uniforms for Facility and Field Service Volunteers. Poppy Funds May Not Be used For The Following: 1. Children of non-veterans 2. ALA Girl State fees 3. POW/MIAS 4. General funds of Unit 5. Auxiliary Emergency Fund Our primary concerns should be spreading the Poppy Story and dispersing Poppies every chance we get. Reminder: 1. We Do Not Sell Poppies, we take donations. 2. Take the time to thank the veterans that make our poppies. Send a Thank You note, make cookies for them or just visit them. Page 10

11 PROCLAMATON For Poppy Week WHEREAS: 2013 marks the Anniversary of the World War 1 Poppy; and, WHEREAS: the American Legion Auxiliary, Unit is celebrating its annual Poppy salute to Veterans through the week of, 2015; and, WHEREAS: the annual recognition of Poppy s by the Auxiliary has been officially recognized and endorsed by governmental leaders since 1922, and, WHEREAS: Poppy s are assembled by disabled Veterans, and the proceeds of this worthwhile fund raising are used exclusively for the benefit of veterans and their families; and, WHEREAS: the basic purpose of the donation to Poppy s to the American Legion Auxiliary is eloquently reflected in the desire to help all Veterans. THEREFORE, I, Mayor of the City of, 2015, as, proclaim the Week of POPPY WEEK And do hereby urge the citizens of this community to recognize and support the merits of this cause by contribution to its support through donation for Poppy s as symbols of appreciation for the sacrifices that our Veterans have made. Witness my hand this day of, 2015., Mayor Page 10