Proceeds from Arlington VFW Post 981’s Poppy Drive benefit veteran support groups

On the two Saturdays before Memorial Day, members of Arlington Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 981 distribute poppies and accept donations from residents of the Northwest suburbs.

Post 981 sets all donations aside in a separate fund. The donations are earmarked for veterans and active duty service members in need.

The proceeds from 2026 were recently distributed to veteran-helping organizations: K9s For Veterans which provides service dogs; BraveHearts Therapeutic Riding and Educational Center which connects veterans and their families with horses; Help Heal Veterans which provide craft kits to fight post-traumatic stress disorder; and Midwest Veterans Closet which helps veterans needing furnishing for their dwellings.

VFW Post 981 thanks every community member who donated last Memorial Day.

Post 981, which represents the communities of Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Palatine, Rolling Meadows and Wheeling, welcomes new members. The monthly meetings are 7 p.m. on the first Wednesday of the month at American Legion Post 208, 121 N. Douglas, Arlington Heights. For questions on membership, contact vfwpost981@gmail.com or visit vfwpost981.com.