The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3013, Ladies Auxiliary of Selma and cadets from the Jr. ROTC of both Selma and Southside High School will be handing out handmade poppies to the community Nov. 9 in an effort to raise money for the VFW.

Created by the disabled veterans in veteran’s hospitals, the poppies represent the official memorial flower of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. During the Buddy Poppy Drive, poppies are distributed to the community to encourage people to donate money to the VFW.

“The money we raise goes into our relief funds,” auxiliary member Patsy Stone said.

Rod Stone of VFW Post 3013 said donations serve multiple purposes, including buying flags for schools, supplying gas money for veterans, assisting veterans struggling to make bill payments and purchasing food for the families of decease veterans who can’t afford it.

“We put back in the community what we get out of it,” he said.

Those handing out poppies will be stationed at the Winn Dixie on Highland Avenue and Dallas Avenue, the CVS Pharmacy on Highland Avenue, the Tractor and Supply Store, Walmart and Doc’s Convenience Store on Alabama Highway 14 East from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. to give away poppies and collect donations. While donations are appreciated, there are not required to receive a poppy.

Stone said past poppy drives have been successful. He said the Buddy Poppy Drive brought in $27,000 for the veteran program.

Stone believes the support is driven by the respect the community has for veterans.

“We just have such wonderful support from the community,” she said. “They have a lot of respect for the veterans.”

Stone said community support isn’t limited to the Buddy Poppy Drive. He said residents often visit the VFW in Selma to express their appreciation for the veterans.

“We always have people coming by the post and thanking us for what we do,” Stone said.

He said it is important to remember the veterans have sacrificed a lot, and the community should consider giving.

“They sacrificed their life, so we can have freedoms,” he said. “All we ask in return is to give us donations to help the veterans.”