My name is Kathy McCauley, and I am the Buddy Poppy/National Home Chairman for 2025-2026.  You will recognize me as I am the current Department Conductor and have been the Historian for the last 4 years.

I will have the National Home pins to sell that Alysen designed and sold last year.  If you want one, please let me know, they are $5.00.

I will be giving information on both the National Home and Buddy Poppies in my article on the website. 

We all know that the money from Buddy Poppy distribution goes into our relief fund.  It is to help our Veterans and their families and can be used for our programs, including National Home Health and Happiness. 

When you are distributing the Poppies, please wear your VFW Aux gear.  Please, please, smile.  A smile can go along way to encourage people to engage with you and donate.  Make sure you get permission from the store manager well ahead of time so that there aren’t any discussions when someone shows up and is questioned as to why you are there.  High traffic areas are great, just don’t block the doors so people have a hard time going in and out of the doors.  You are not restricted to when you distribute your Poppies.  Memorial weekend isn’t the only time you can do it.  Any time that you set up a recruiting table, make sure you have information of the programs, and Poppies.  We are NOT SELLING Poppies; we are distributing them.  Wording really makes a difference.

National Home

The VFW National Home was founded in 1925 as a place where families left behind by war, could remain together.  The VFW National Home serves as a living memorial to America’s veterans by helping our nation’s military and veteran families during difficult times. 

There is a Health and Happiness Fund that supports the National Home is through gifts of 10 cents per member.  Contributions are critical since the campus and its programs receive no government funding.  It supports maintenance of Auxiliary sponsored buildings, emergency repairs and renovations and gifts for Christmas and Graduation.  The donation goes thru MALTA so please let me know in your monthly report how much your Auxiliary or any member makes so that I can keep track of it.  Any time you or your Auxiliary makes a donation or have a project please report it.  This is how we keep our Non-profit status.