Invest in OUR Veterans

Poppy Program

Beginning Plan of Work 2006-2007

 

 

This year the Poppy Program will have four primary areas of emphasis:

 

  1. Supporting Veterans, returning and hospitalized military personnel.
  2. Public Relations (or Poppy Promotion).
  3. Poppy Distribution and Proceeds.
  4. Creative ways to distribute the Poppy.

 

The other areas of emphasis are as follows:

  1. Poppy Awards and Recognition.
  2. Poppy Resources.
  3. Poppy corsage contest.
  4. Creativity.
  5. Mid-year and Annual Report Form.

 

The mid-year and annual report forms are included.

At this time, there is no intention of changing these.

There will be updates to this Plan of Work as we work on teamwork, sharing ideas on what has worked, what might work and any and all creative new ideas that may work for promoting the Poppy Program. This should help all of our units to work this program and increase donations to invest in our veterans.

These suggestions as they are received will be posted on our Unit 2 web page at www.legionfamily.com under Department of Arizona Poppy Program (the picture of the poppy). They will also be sent out in the monthly packet from Department. Suggestions should be e-mailed, mailed or otherwise communicated to me at:

 

e-mail AZPoppy@cox.net

 

Barbara Spencer

PO Box 1165

Tempe, AZ 85280-1165

 

Phone numbers:

(480) 704-4911 home

(520) 204-1397 Southern area (Tucson area)

(866) 839-7695 Toll free from other areas. (Arizona)

 

We are currently in search of volunteers to help committee members

from Area A and Area C.

Please contact me if you are interested.

 

We believe that all Arizona Units can have a good year working together.

It requires teamwork and coordination. I am putting all suggestions on our Unit web page and hope to have the report forms on line where they can be edited online, e-mailed and printed for copies and mailing.

 

Supporting Veterans and Military Personnel.

Let us support our Veterans and military service personnel to include the returning and hospitalized soldiers.

  1. Send active duty troops packages containing poppy related items.
  2. Involve Junior members in this process by making poppy heart cards.
  3. Organize trips to VA facilities to distribute handmade poppy cards.

Idea time:

How do we get a list for active duty or reserve called to active duty?

How do we organize this?

Suggestions:

 

Public Relations (for Poppy Promotion).

  1. Make the community aware of the history of the poppy’s significance and the purpose of the distribution.
  2. Create and maintain a relationship with any news media available. Post newsletters, community newspapers (some are local to each area) and of course the radio and television stations.
  3. Visit community groups and promote the program. Be prepared to tell the poppy story and have poppies to give out.

Idea time:

Is there a way to have media coverage for the Poppy Program?

Have you tried writing to the community editor of any local paper?

Suggestions:

 

Poppy Distribution and Proceeds.

Distribute the poppy throughout communities and generate donations through such activities.

  1. Place poppy cans in your community.
  2. Put wreathes out on holidays with poppies on them.
  3. Make sure to explain what the donations are used for while distributing the poppy.
  4. Visit schools and tell the poppy story and emphasize how donations are utilized when available.
  5. Set a Poppy Day in advance, plan on contacting businesses for support.

Idea time:

How do we distribute our poppies?

Will a business let you leave some poppies with a donation can?

Is there a Veterans Day Parade? Is it possible to give them out then?

How about Memorial Day?

Suggestions:

 

Poppy Resources

(Available through American Legion Emblem Sales)

“The American Legion Auxiliary’s Volunteer Guide to a Successful Poppy Promotion” 1 for $1.95

“Thank you for caring leaflet” $5.95 for 100

Poppy stamps are 100 for $.50

Poppy Lapel Streamers are 12 for $4.95

Poppy Counter Cards to advertise at businesses are 1 for $1.00.

Poppy Certificates are 1 for $1.00

Poppy Gift Wrap are 4 sheets for $.10

(Information available on line)

Flanders Field and the Poppy story are available on the National American Legion Auxiliary website:

http://www.legion-aux.org/programs/docs/poppy/poppy_story_flanders.html

Idea time:

Suggestions:

 

National Poppy Corsage Contest

The Poppy Corsage Contest at the Awareness Assembly is continuing again this year. American Legion Auxiliary Department of Arizona may submit 12 entries. Each corsage should have the name of the creators, their Unit and Department. Attendees will cast a vote for $1.00 and the proceeds will go to the Creative Arts Festival. The winning corsages will be used at Girls Nation.

Idea time:

Do you need help with this?

Suggestions:

 

Creativity

Make suggestions on new and unique ways of distributing poppies.

Think of a unique way to promote and display the poppy.

Turn in these ideas so we all may share them.

 

All suggestions may be submitted to AZPoppy@cox.net and may be found at www.legionfamily.org under Dept Poppy Program. No idea or suggestion is foolish or stupid, please send all of them. There will be a personal award for the most creative idea.

 

I believe we can have a good year if we all work together. It requires teamwork and coordination. I am putting all suggestions on our Unit web page and will also include them in the packets. I hope to have the report forms on line in the next month or so.