The Winner VFW #4674 & Auxiliary conducted their Buddy Poppy individual campaign drive on Labor Day prior to the parade in Winner.
The Buddy Poppy story is well known to most Americans, however, many do not know that the poppies used in South Dakota are made by the veterans at the Ft. Meade VA Hospital in Sturgis. South Dakota is one of the few states that the veterans still make their own poppies. In most states the poppies are assembled by machine.
The workers also handed out a blue tear drop sticker to remind individuals that September is Suicide awareness month. The veteran population has a high suicide rate and making the public aware of the unique stresses that face the veteran is part of VFW and Auxiliary goals.
Along with the above mentioned items, a card was given out to provide information regarding the Veterans Crisis Line. The public is encouraged to call the crisis line number at 1-800-273-8255 if they know of someone who appears to be in crisis or they themselves feel they need to get help. All calls are kept confidential and you may save a life by being alert and making that phone call.
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