North Oakland Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 334 set a new record for the State of Michigan selling $29,447.81 of Buddy Poppies May 9, 10 and 11, the days this annual fundraiser was held.
Lots of generous people opened their purses or wallets to buy their Buddy Poppy. Top seller for VFW Post 334 was Post Commander Jim Hubbard who sold $6,152.53 worth of poppies.
Last year the Post raised $24,714.60 selling poppies and the goal for 2013 was to beat that record. James Braden, Quartermaster of VFW Post 334, chaired the Post’s 2013 Buddy Poppy sales effort.
The money raised will be used to assist needy or disabled veterans in North Oakland County and the VFW National Home in Eaton Rapids where many widows and orphans of men and women who lost their lives in the service of our country now live.
The Post supports a number of local community activities, sponsors the North Oakland Chapter of Young Marines and participates in the VFW Patriot’s Pen and Voice of Democracy programs. Donations are also made to Gold Star Mothers, Blue Star Mothers, USO, the Great Lakes National Cemetery and Veterans Memorials.
The Post also supports projects which send packages to service men and women from this area currently serving in one of the five armed services.
The VFW has been selling Buddy Poppies since May, 1922 and disabled veterans assemble the poppies.
From its inception the Buddy Poppy program has helped the VFW to live up to its motto, ‘To honor the dead by helping the living.?
North Oakland VFW Post 334 meets the second Thursday of every month at the American Legion/VFW Hall on Drahner Road in Oxford at 7:30 PM.