National Poppy Day® is May 24 this year 

Our Poppy Program has been a cornerstone of the American Legion Auxiliary for close to a century. Each year, American Legion Auxiliary volunteers distribute millions of poppies in exchange for contributions to assist disabled and hospitalized veterans in our communities. Last year, more than $2 million was raised from poppy distributions alone!

Just think: If every unit raised an additional $10, $100, or even $1,000, how many more veterans could we help? The answer is plenty! Here are a few ideas to get you started.

When distributing poppies at a local grocery store, restaurant, or home improvement store, talk to the manager and see if they would be willing to post information about the poppy and the ALA mission in their newsletter or social media.

Some restaurants are willing to set aside an evening where a percentage of the proceeds made go back to a local nonprofit. Don’t be afraid to ask! Be polite and informative, and know the worst they will tell you is “no.”

Many companies give paid time off for their employees to volunteer for service projects. Do some research and see if any companies in your area do this. Don’t be afraid to call the human resources department for information. Invite those employees to come make poppies with you. It’s a great way to spread the news about our mission and welcome help with poppy making. Many of those same companies will also donate to organizations where their employees are volunteering at.

Have a friendly competition with other members on who can raise the most money on a certain day. Invite your Junior members to participate or be a team lead.

Be sure to share your fundraising success stories with us at alamagazine@ALAforVeterans.org and on social media @ ALAforVeterans. But most importantly, don’t forget to make your unit fundraisers fun, and never lose sight of the veterans who will benefit from your hard work.