Sponsor, ALA
Send your Donations to the Department Office
Attn: Secretary/Treasurer Juanita Lochner
112 State Street, Suite 1310,
Albany, NY 12207

How_to_sheet_Direction  Poppy Usage Contest form

P – Program to honor our Veterans.
O – Opportunity  to  make a difference.
P – Perpetuate all to give 100% of their time and efforts.
P – Participate with the community spreading the knowledge of the Poppy Story.
Y – Your continua's support of this valuable program.

The Poppy/Poppy Poster is the oldest and most widely recognized Auxiliary program. The purpose is to honor our Veterans for their service and sacrifice by promoting and educating all people of the Poppy’s history and the financial benefit realized by our nations Veterans as a result of distribution.

Remember, Poppy funds may only be used for Veterans, Veterans causes, and Children and Youth of Veterans.  Donations to the Warriors Assistance Program may also come from Poppy funds.

Don’t forget the many awards connected to this program. The awards and rules are listed below and in the Plan of Action. Take a look, take a step, and create.

The purpose of this program is to honor Veterans for their service and sacrifice by promoting and educating all people of the Poppy’s history and the financial benefit realized by our nation’s veterans as a result of its distribution.

From the battlefields of World War I, weary soldiers brought home the memory of a barren landscape transformed by wild poppies, red as the blood that had soaked the soil. By that miracle of nature, the spirit of their lost comrades lived on.

The poppy became a symbol of the sacrifice of lives in war, and represented the hope that none had died in vain. The American Legion Auxiliary Poppy has continued to bloom for the casualties of wars, its petals of paper bound together for veterans by veterans, reminding America each year that the men and women who have served and died for their country deserve to be remembered.

Each year around Memorial Day, American Legion Auxiliary volunteers across the country, distribute millions of red crepe paper poppies in exchange for donations to assist disabled and hospitalized veterans in their local communities. The poppy has become a world-wide recognized symbol of sacrifice and is worn by Auxiliary members to honor the men and women who served and died for their country, in all wars, including the Global War on Terror. The poppy should remind communities and this nation of the sacrifices and continuing needs of our veterans and service members. Auxiliary members must endeavor to explain the true meaning of the flower to all those who receive it.

Place Your Orders Early:  Poppy order form  Forward you order to this chairman, before December 1, 2011, in order to insure receipt on time. All orders must include payment and have a street address to be delivered. NO PO BOX number. Units with less than minimum orders are encouraged to join with another Unit when ordering poppies. Contact Legion Posts to place Poppy orders. This will increase Poppy orders and the Poppy distribution to the public. It also gives the public the opportunity to pay tribute to all who died in service. Auxiliary members should be prepared to answer questions concerning the Poppy Program.
Note: You can fill out the Poppy Order Form using your computer keyboard.

National-level Objectives

 Objective: Promote/circulate the history of the poppy and significance of its distribution.

 Action Steps

1. Distribute promotional/supplemental poppy materials to include In Flanders Field poem, how the monies are used once collected, Poppy Program Media Fact Sheet, Poppy Fact Bookmark, How to Maximize Your Contributions page (all found in resource section).  

2. Work with Unit Public Relations Committee to send PSAs (Public Service Announcements) to newspapers prior to Memorial Day distribution explaining mission of program and   locations of distribution. Sample PSA available on American Legion Auxiliary website.

3. Encourage participation in the Poppy Poster Contest in your schools for grades two through 12 and Students with Special Needs.

4. Create local coloring or poster contest for children in kindergarten and first grade to prepare them for future Poppy Poster Contest.

5. Encourage participation in the Miss Poppy Contest ages 6-12 and 13-18.

 Objective: Increase Unit poppy revenues.

 Action Steps

1. Encourage and educate all Units and Departments to participate in the Poppy Program for generating funds to be used for veterans.

2. Partner with local businesses to gain more distribution opportunities and community  awareness.          

3.  Have resource materials on hand during distribution. Resource section and Emblem Sales  have available information.             

4. Utilize media outlets to publicize information about distribution and history of Poppy  Program.  

5. Encourage Departments to allow Units to distribute poppies many times throughout the year.

 Objective: Increase the number of poppy makers in each Department.

Action Steps

1. Distribute promotional information on “How to Recruit New Poppy Makers” (found in  resource section). 

2. Partner with The American Legion to recruit poppy makers within their post home and Department.

Resources

1. Related materials can be found under Resources at www.legion-aux.org:

2. Poppy Program Media Fact Sheet

3. Poppy Fact Bookmark

4. In Flanders Field/Poppy Story

5. How monies are used once collected

6. How to Maximize Your Poppy Contribution

7. How to Recruit New Poppy Makers

8. Unit Handbook

9. Policies and Procedures

10. National Emblem Sales Catalog

 See program page on www.legion-aux.org  for additional resources.

DEPARTMENT AWARDS

SENIOR AWARDS:

POPPY WREATHS: You may use poppies without tags, netting, artificial greens and other flowers. Make sure the poppy is the dominating flower.

POPPY CENTERPIECE: Use poppies without tags, netting, ribbon, artificial greens and candles. Other flowers may be used, but the poppy is to be the dominating flower.

POPPY HAT: Use large and/or small poppies without tags, netting, artificial greens and ribbons. The hat need not be covered with poppies but should be presentable for wearing in public.

 JUNIOR AWARDS:

POPPY CENTERPIECE OR POPPY HAT:  Rules are the same as listed above for Senior entries.

POPPY TRAY OR TABLE FAVOR:  Poppies should predominate. Other materials may be used.

 ALL POPPIES ARE TO BE IN THEIR ORIGINAL STATE

DO NOT WAX

Judging for Senior Competitions will be at the Unit level.  One winner in each category shall be submitted to County.  One winner from each category in the County shall be chosen at the Spring Conference in each District. One winner in each category in the District shall be at the Convention City (Rochester) no later than Tuesday preceding opening session.

Judging for Junior competitions will be at the Unit level.  One winner in each category shall be submitted to County. The winner from each category within the County will be sent directly to this Department Poppy Chairman, H. Jane Fox No Later Than May 10, 2012.

Poppy Poster Program:

Contact your local schools in September or October so that teachers will be able to incorporate the Poppy Poster Program into their curriculum.  Make available to them information on the Poppy Program so they are aware of the importance of this Auxiliary program. Please be sure to carefully follow the rules that are included under the awards section.

Poppy Poster Contest:

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.         

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 10 and 11
Class VI  Grade 12
Class VII Students with Special Needs defined as:

1. Those in special education classes.

2. A student recommended for special education classes, but who has not been admitted due to waiting list or various other factors.

3. 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  11x14” 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.

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 must also be used.

Only the winning entry in each class is to be sent, by the County, to reach this Chairman NO LATER THAN MAY 10, 2012.

PAST DEPARTMENT PRESIDENT VIOLET BROSART AWARD FOR POPPY POSTER CONTEST

A certificate of appreciation to all Poppy Poster Winners in each class.  This will be in a presentation folder.  Signed by the Department President.

Criteria: Must have the Unit name and number information on the poppy Poster entry.

Miss Poppy Contest:

Two Categories:         Little Miss Poppy - Ages 6-12
                                          Miss Poppy - Ages 13-18

1. Entrant must be between 6-12 years of age or 13-18 years of age and a Junior member of the American Legion Auxiliary.

2. Promotional activity of the Poppy Story must be through The American Legion, the American Legion Auxiliary and the community.

3. Selection of Miss Poppy is at the discretion of the Unit.

4. A narrative report, not to exceed 100 words, on the “Memorial Poppy” must be submitted.

5. Entrant must submit a Miss Poppy Scrapbook (8 1/2" x 11”) containing photographs and  clippings illustrating how she promoted the American Legion Auxiliary poppy.

Rules for judging Miss Poppy scrapbook entries:

1. Costume (there is no specific dress code or particular dress color for Miss Poppy).
2. Promotion of the Poppy Program.
3. Publicity of poppy activities.
4. Narrative report on “What I have Learned Being Miss Poppy.”
5. Memorial Poppy must be visible in all promotion and publicity submitted.
6. Neatness and creativity.
7. Cover page to include member name, Unit name, age Division and year.
8. Judging scale should be 1 through 10 for each area of judging for entire entry.

Little Miss Poppy (6-12) and Miss Poppy (13-18) winners will be invited to appear at Department Convention in Rochester, NY, immediately following her selection and if she chooses to do so, will travel at her own expense. Winners of the National Miss Poppy contest will each receives a citation plaque. Please submit entries to your Department Poppy Chairman, NO LATER THAN MAY 10, 2012.

National Awards

Unit Poppy Award:

A gift will be presented by the National Poppy committee to the Unit Chairman in each Division reporting the best poppy program. The report should cover all areas of emphasis and any relevant information involving program activity and describing your use of the poppy during the year. The report is to be in narrative format and not exceed 1,000 words. The report should have a cover sheet with the Chairman's name, address, Unit and Department.  Units are to submit entries to this Chairman by May 10, 2012.

Poppy Usage Contest: 

The Poppy Usage Contest will be held at the Unit and Department levels only. There will not be a National poppy contest at Awareness Assembly. Departments are responsible for collecting money from Unit contests and will write National Headquarters one check by June 1, 2012. All money raised fiom poppy contests will be given to the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival, and Departments raising the most money will be recognized in National communications. How_to_sheet_Direction  Poppy Usage Contest form

An 8x10” color photo should be brought to the Mid-Winter Conference in January for judging.  Please include on the back of the entry the following: member name and address, Unit name and number and Department name.

REPORTING PROCEDURE:

Unit Chairmen:  Please send  Unit Report form  to reach your County Chairman by November 1, 2011, March 1, 2012

County Chairmen:  Please send  County report form  to reach the Dept. Chairman by November 10, 2010, March 10, 2012

H. Jane Fox
Poppy/Poppy Poster Chairman
email: H. Jane Fox

For Chairman's physical address,  contact Chairman or  Department Office 

Note: Forms are in (PDF Format ) and can be filled out using your computer keyboard. However, you cannot save data typed into any  forms unless you have the Full Version of  Adobe Acrobat software! Please print at least 2 copies of your completed form, mail one to the chairman, and save one for your  records. If you try to e-mail it without the Full Version of  Adobe Acrobat software, the chairman will receive a BLANK PAGE...

As we travel through this Auxiliary year, it’s up to us to plant the Poppy seed, cultivate the garden, believe in the program and succeed in the endeavor.

May God Bless our American Legion Family
God Bless America