V 	F 	W 
NATIONAL HOME 

FO. (HILORIN 
"BUDDY" POPPY/NATIONAL HOME FOR CHILDREN 
Hello and welcome to fall! 
The 2019-20 "Buddy" Poppy and National Home for Children Program Year is in full swing. By 
now the information that was presented at the training in Jamestown should be distributed to 
all the auxiliaries. The "Buddy" Poppy and the VFW National Home for Children provide so 
much for our veterans and their families. The "Buddy" Poppy helps our disabled veterans and 
the National Home helps families in their time of need. Working together, they make a 
difference in the lives of our veterans, active-duty service members and their families. 
Now the work begins as we work on our Program Goals for "Buddy" Poppy: 
1.	"Buddy" Poppy Display Contest 
2.	Incorporation of the "Buddv" Poppy into other programs 
3.	"Buddy" Poppy education and community outreach 
We can reach these goals by making a "Buddy" Poppy display and bring to Department 
Convention. It would be great to see each Auxiliary participate. It doesn't have to be elaborate 
so please think about putting something together. Include a "Buddy" Poppy into your other 
programs. It's easy to hand out poppies at your community events, parades, etc. Every Auxiliary 
in each District should order "Buddy" Poppies and have a poppy drive. You are not limited to 
how many drives you have and any money donated goes into your relief fund. In the packets at 
training were materials that can be either purchased or you can make copies of to use as 
educational material for the community. Malta has more information that you can down load 
or print. I encourage all Auxiliaries to watch the Veterans Behind the "Buddy" Poppy video and 
to read the "Buddy" Poppy article from the 2015 VFW Auxiliary magazine. Educating the 
community and our own Auxiliary members is a good thing. 
The goals for VFW National Home for Children: 
1.	VFW National Home Education and Community outreach 
2.	Encourage life memberships to the National Home 
3.	Raise money for National President's Special Project 
Use the information handed out at training to educate your community and Auxiliary. The 
National Home has been serving for over 90 years military and veteran families who need a 
fresh start. Families can live there rent free for up to 4 years and they have access to 
professional case management services, onsite licensed childcare, life skills training, tutoring 
and other educational services, as well as, recreational and community service opportunities. 
Families find healing in a safe and peaceful environment of tree lined streets, 42 single-family 
homes, facilities such as a gym, library, computer and science labs, day care center, 
playgrounds, fishing pond, hiking trails and more. They receive no government assistance so 
contributions are critical to keep the National Home running. Make sure your Auxiliary makes 

4.	
its annual donation of .10 (or more) per' member based on your membership as of June 30 to 
the Health & Happiness fund. 
On the National Home campus military families not living there can receive assistance through 
the Military & Veteran Family helpline. This number is another valuable resource that our 
Auxiliaries can share with our communities. The number is: 
*Helpline 1-800-313-2400 
*Email help@vfwnationalhome.org
 *Visit www.vfwnationalhome.org/help
Co-Chair Mary Kay shared at training that we would like each Auxiliary to raise and donate 
$10.00 or more for President Peggy's special project with VFW Commander in Chief Doc 
Schmitz. This project is building path 4 in the tribute park on the campus of the National Home. 
Additional information was in your packet. This money can be sent to Sharol, Be sure to mark 
your donation Path 4 VFW National Home. 
Refer to Malta for additional resources on "Buddy" Poppy and to order free promotional 
material on the National Home visit www.vfwnationalhome.org/promotional
Thank you to all for your hard work and dedication to serving our veterans, active-duty military 
and their families. Working as a team we can give back to those who gave so much. 
Mary Kay Hanson 
jmhanson@gra.midco.net
Barb Heap 
barbheap@gmail.com
Serving Our Veterans with Aloha and 
Marching Forward to Serve and Honor our Veterans 

VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE UNITED STATES 
PROGRAMS DEPARTMENT 
"BUDDY"® POPPY PROGRAM 
NATIONAL CONVENTION "BUDDY"® POPPY DISPLAY CONTEST 
These guidelines have been designed to place emphasis on the purpose and effectiveness of the 
displays. It is suggested and recommended that Department (State) contests rule be established in a 
like form. (Please be advised, as there are no longer Jr. Girls Units or Sons of the VFW, Category 4 
has been removed.) 
RULES
(1) 	Displays will be presented and judged in three categories: 

CATEGORYl. 
(a) 
(b) 
CATEGORY 2. 
(a) 
(b) 
CATEGORY 3. 
(a) 
(b) 

Public Promotion of Poppy Campaign (Window, booth, parade, poster 
displays, campaign promotions, etc.) 
Displays must be designed for public exposure and must bear a message 
soliciting a donation for and wearing ofthe VFW "Buddy"® Poppy. 
At least one (1) of the Poppies used in the display must be in its original form 
and color, with label attached. 
Memorial or Inspirational Displays (Wreaths, memorial tablets or plaques, 
patriotic or devotional themes) 
Displays must be designed to honor the dead, to inspire devotion to God and 
Country, or to dramatize the activities supported by the "Buddy"® Poppy. 
At least one (1) of the Poppies used in the display must be in its original form 
and color, with label attached. 
Artistic or Decorative Use of Poppies (Post Home displays, table center- 
pieces, corsages, pictures, plaques, models, scenes, hats, novelty pieces, etc.) 
Any display not meeting the qualifications for Categories 1 or 2 shall 
automatically be entered in Category 3. 
At least one (1) of the Poppies used in the display must be in its original form 
and color, with label attached. 
(over) 

~---- 

"lt takes just three little parts and a few practiced twists and turns of the hand to 
create a perfect "Buddy" Poppy. But this mighty little flower improves the lives of 
many veterans and their families." 
(2015 VFW Auxiliary Magazine, The Veterans Behind The "Buddy" Poppy) 

VFW NATIONAL HOME FOR CHILDREN 

VFW National Home for Children 
3573 S Waverly Rd 
Eaton Rapids, MI 48827 
517-663-1521 800-424-8360 
Who WeAre 
The VFW National Home for Children was founded in 1925 in Eaton Rapids, Michigan as a place where 
families left behind by war could remain together, keeping the family circle intact even when their 
serviceman didn't come home. 
Today's military and veteran families face different challenges -- reintegration, post-traumatic stress, high 
unemployment and rehabilitation from battlefield injuries, among others -- and the National Home has 
evolved over our decades-long history to meet those changing needs. 
In addition, we understand that the impacts of war can be generational. The National Home is here to help 
veteran connected families as well who are directly related to a VFW or Auxiliary member or are eligible to 
become one. 
Resident families can accomplish significant life goals by participating in our program. We offer case 
management services to help families establish their plans for the future and set goals, education, 
recreational, and enrichment opportunities for parents and their children, as well as free housing and 
daycare. Community resources and counseling provided as needed. 
Families are welcomed to our small-town community where they may live for up to 4 years. They work to 
Identify what they need and want to accomplish, during which time they are provided: 
Housing A single family home in our community for up to four years with no cost. 
Education Tutoring, classes, secondary financial assistance and more to help 
accomplish goals. 
Daycare Licensed childcare while at work, school or for respite. 
Basic Needs Food, health care and clothing, if needed. 
Recreation Opportunities to help with becoming whole and healthy. 
Case Management A caring professional dedicated to providing the expertise, compassion, support and 
guidance needed for the family to succeed. 
Military and Veteran Family Helpline A free service that offers information, creates connections and gives 
hope to struggling military and veteran families. 
In accepting families to our program, we ask only one thing of them: They must be committed to making 
changes in their lives. To remain at the National Home, they are expected to demonstrate consistent progress 
toward family goals. Together, in partnership with the whole family, we are dedicated to helping each family 
reach its full potential. 

8/4/2019 

mvfhelpline 

Military & Veteran Family Helpline 

5.	
Be Heard. Be Helped. 
800-313-4200 

Call for any reason. 
All calls are answered and no caller is turned away. 

This is a free service that offers information, creates connections and gives hope to 
struggling military and veteran families. 

It's answered by experienced problem-solvers who care deeply about veterans and their 
families and who have the contacts and knowledge needed to get each caller help. 

Sometimes the best way to help an American war hero, is just to listen, get to the heart of the 
problem, and find the right kind of assistance in his or her local community. 

That's the important jo!'. of aur toll-free Military and Vete"~n Family Helpline. 

The Military & Veteran Family Helpline: 
•	Provides caring, compassionate listening. 
•	Helps put the "puzzle" together and find lasting solutions. 
•	Makes meaningful and relevant connections to services that 
assist the caller, providing advocacy. 
Partners with human service organizations, veteran service 
groups and service officers. 

This is a helpline, not a hotline. It is answered Monday through Friday between 8arn and 
4:30pm Eastern Time. except holidays. Messages left after hours are answered the next 
business day. You can also email us at ~p-@vfwnationalhome.org. 

The Military and Veteran Family Helpline is a service of the VFVJ National Home for Children which serves as a living memorial to 
America'S veterans by helpling our nation's struggling military and veteran families. 

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