Burlington Poppy Day
Donation protected
Among the many victims of the COVID-19 outbreak in the spring of 2020 is the annual American Legion Poppy Day in Burlington, Wisconsin.
Members of the American Legion Post 79 Auxiliary and their supporters collect donations each May at local retail stores and reward their benefactors with the familiar red crepe paper poppies -- a symbol of wartime sacrifice worn proudly by Americans since World War I.
With this year's collection scratched by concerns over coronavirus, the worthy programs benefiting veterans that are supported by Burlington Poppy Day are in jeopardy of losing that modest, but powerful donation from the local Auxiliary.
That's unacceptable.
We as caring and concerned members of the Burlington community are compelled to step in and help -- just as the women of the Auxiliary have done for decades. They've done their best to aid veterans in need...and now it's our turn to help them continue the tradition.
Please consider a donation. No amount is too small.
Your donation will go to organizations that directly aid veterans in need. Here's a look at some of the organizations the Post 79 Auxiliary has assisted in recent years:
• Wisconsin Veterans Home at Union Grove
• Veterans Administration Medical Centers in Milwaukee and King
• Camp American Legion in Tomahawk
• Visually Impaired Veterans of Milwaukee
• Fisher House for families of hospitalized veterans
• Assistance for local families of deployed military personnel
• Vets Roll of Beloit
Elaine Phelps, Poppy Day chairperson for Post 79, said she and the other members of the Auxiliary are particularly gratified by the opportunity to help struggling local families of currently deployed military personnel. "If families will let us know, we have this (money) here for them."
To the women of the Auxiliary the annual Poppy Day fundraiser not only provides tangible assistance, but it honors military service and shows the heart of a community that hasn't forgotten the sacrifices of those who served and continue to willingly serve their country at a cost up to their very lives.
"The government tries (to care for veterans), but you know when it comes down to the local level what we need is neighbors helping neighbors," Elaine said.
Please heed the call to help your neighbors.
Members of the American Legion Post 79 Auxiliary and their supporters collect donations each May at local retail stores and reward their benefactors with the familiar red crepe paper poppies -- a symbol of wartime sacrifice worn proudly by Americans since World War I.
With this year's collection scratched by concerns over coronavirus, the worthy programs benefiting veterans that are supported by Burlington Poppy Day are in jeopardy of losing that modest, but powerful donation from the local Auxiliary.
That's unacceptable.
We as caring and concerned members of the Burlington community are compelled to step in and help -- just as the women of the Auxiliary have done for decades. They've done their best to aid veterans in need...and now it's our turn to help them continue the tradition.
Please consider a donation. No amount is too small.
Your donation will go to organizations that directly aid veterans in need. Here's a look at some of the organizations the Post 79 Auxiliary has assisted in recent years:
• Wisconsin Veterans Home at Union Grove
• Veterans Administration Medical Centers in Milwaukee and King
• Camp American Legion in Tomahawk
• Visually Impaired Veterans of Milwaukee
• Fisher House for families of hospitalized veterans
• Assistance for local families of deployed military personnel
• Vets Roll of Beloit
Elaine Phelps, Poppy Day chairperson for Post 79, said she and the other members of the Auxiliary are particularly gratified by the opportunity to help struggling local families of currently deployed military personnel. "If families will let us know, we have this (money) here for them."
To the women of the Auxiliary the annual Poppy Day fundraiser not only provides tangible assistance, but it honors military service and shows the heart of a community that hasn't forgotten the sacrifices of those who served and continue to willingly serve their country at a cost up to their very lives.
"The government tries (to care for veterans), but you know when it comes down to the local level what we need is neighbors helping neighbors," Elaine said.
Please heed the call to help your neighbors.
Organizer
Edward Nadolski
Organizer
Burlington, WI
