Poppy day in Paradise and Plains

For the American Legion Auxiliary, the poppy is used as the organization’s memorial flower and through donations it goes towards benefiting veterans and their families.

For the American Legion Auxiliary, the poppy is used as the organization’s memorial flower and through donations it goes towards benefiting veterans and their families.

The American Auxiliary Post 129 out of Paradise sets up a stand in Paradise and outside of McGowan’s Grocery in Plains to take donations in exchange for the artificial poppies.

In unison with Armed Forces Day, volunteers sit outside for five hours, whether rain or shine, to raise money in order to help the veterans in Sanders County.

“The money we take in for poppies helps for things a local veteran may need like groceries or help on a bill, personal items they couldn’t afford and the money goes directly to help them,” said Deborah Davis, Vice President of Post 129.

Davis said they usually raise between $150 and $200 between the two locations through poppy donations.  This is the only poppy day the American Legion holds every year, however, they hold a variety of other events throughout the year to honor local veterans and help those who are currently serving.

The American Legion in Paradise has been in existence for over 60 years, however, Auxiliary Post 129 has only been in existence for four years.

In addition to poppy day, the volunteers put together goody-boxes to be given to in-patients at Fort Harrison, men and women serving overseas and also to the veterans’ home in Columbia Falls.  Funds for these projects are raised through donations and memberships.

“We don’t do as much as some auxilaries, but we do enough where we stay busy every month,” said Davis as they also host a Thanksgiving meal and an annual community picnic every July to honor the local veterans, which also helps raise money for their annual projects.

“Last December, we took up a collection and it went toward helping send chocolate overseas, we sent thousands of pounds of chocolate to Afghanistan and Iraq and raised money through word of mouth,” said Davis.

Raising money through poppy donations has been a staple of the American Legion for many years.  During World War I, the now significant poppy grew wild and abundant in Flanders Field, where many graves of fallen American soldiers rested.  On top of these graves, the poppy flower grew wild and abundant and soon came to be known as the national symbol of sacrifice.

Poppy donations, said Davis are used solely for the purpose of assisting veterans and their families.