As is tradition, the women of American Legion Auxiliary Unit 347 handed out poppies over Memorial Day weekend. More than 6,000 poppies were distributed to shoppers at Walgreen’s, Ace Hardware, Bob Evans, Winn-Dixie and Wal-Mart. The Poppies are given freely; there is no charge. Cans were available at the sites should people choose to donate. In all, people donated more than $7,000.
“We give poppies to whoever would like one,” said Carol Pirone-Udell, president of the Auxiliary. “The donations ran the gamut. We had a little boy about four years old donate two cents and we had a gentleman put a $100 bill in the can.”
The Poppies, a tradition dating back to World War I, are made by veterans.
“Poppies represent our freedom,” said Udell. “It is especially meaningful that the veterans made these poppies because they more than anyone appreciate the blood that was shed for freedom.”
The money raised will be used to support local veteran’s causes. “Whatever they need,” said Udell. “We serve coffee and dessert at the VA on 44 twice a month, we are supporting the cost of a service dog for a local veteran, whatever comes up we try to help.”
Udell and her co-chair Rose Trippodo and more than 100 volunteers made this event happen. The final amount raised will grow as the handing out of poppies will continue at the Legion following the Memorial Day program. Donations are not required to take a poppy, but Udell is sure more donations will come in. “People are so generous.”
