The VFW organized the first distribution of poppies ever conducted by a veterans organization in May 1922.

Today, VFW Buddy Poppies are assembled by disabled, needy and aging veterans in VA hospitals, state veterans homes and domiciliaries across the country. The majority of the proceeds derived from each campaign conducted by VFW posts and their ladies auxiliaries is retained locally to provide for veteran services and welfare. The minimal assessment to VFW units provides compensation to the veterans who assemble the poppies, provides financial assistance in maintaining state and national veterans’ rehabilitations and service programs and partially supports the VFW national home for orphans and widows of our nation’s veterans.

Buddy Poppies proceeds represent no profit to any VFW unit. All the money contributed by the public for Buddy Poppies used in the cause of veterans’ welfare, or for the well-being of their needy dependents and the orphans of veterans.