Buy a poppy: Vets need your support

Last year at this time, our American Legion Auxiliary made an appeal to the community to help our veterans in need and their families by contributing to Poppy collections. That help is needed as much today as it was when the Poppy tradition began 94 years ago.

We realize the current economic climate has made it more difficult for those wishing to help to extend that support -- and people are being more selective about where their donations are going. So it's important for us to raise the public's trust in this effort.

There are over 400 veterans in extended care in our three area VA hospitals alone, for which "luxuries" such as T-shirts, socks, etc. are not provided by the administration. ALL donations (100 percent) collected from poppies go to help these and other needy veterans and their families.

This Memorial Day weekend -- May 21-23 -- our volunteers will again be out in the community collecting for Poppies. Please honor our veterans by donating generously and displaying your poppy proudly.

For more information or to make a donation, please contact me through our Legion Post at (847) 359-1606.

Anne P. Woodruff, president

Palatine Auxiliary Unit 690