Information taken from the VFW
For more than 75 years, since 1922 the VFW's Buddy Poppy program has raised millions of dollars in support of veterans' welfare and the well-being of their dependents. From the very beginning, Buddy Poppy has received the support of the Veterans Administration and the endorsement and cooperation of all presidents since Warren G. Harding.

VFW Buddy Poppies are assembled by disabled, needy and aging veterans in VA Hospitals and domiciliary's across the country and are sold at VFW Posts and their Ladies Auxiliaries. The minimal cost of Buddy Poppies to VFW units provides compensation to the veterans who assemble the poppies, provides financial assistance in maintaining state and national veterans' rehabilitation and service programs and partially supports the VFW National Home for orphans and widows of our nation's veterans.
Selling replicas of the original Flanders' poppy originated in some of the allied countries immediately after the Armistice. In 1921, the Franco-American Children's League began the first nationwide sale of poppies to benefit children in the devastated areas of France and Belgium.
     Madam Guerin, who was recognized as the "poppy lady" from France, sought and received the cooperation of the VFW in 1922 after the Franco-American Children's League was dissolved. The VFW conducted its first poppy sale before Memorial Day in 1922 becoming the first veterans' organization to organize a nationwide distribution. The poppy soon was adopted as the official memorial flower of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.

 In February 1924, the VFW registered the name "Buddy Poppy" with the U.S. Patent Office. A certificate was issued on May 20, 1924, granting the VFW all trademark rights in the name of Buddy under the classification of artificial flowers. The VFW has made that trademark a guarantee that all poppies bearing that name and the VFW label are genuine products of the work of disabled and needy veterans. No other organization, firm or individual can legally use the name "Buddy" Poppy.
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Not only should we buy poppies every year but we should donate to local VFW Posts. There are numerous veterans in the community that need and deserve our help. They cannot wait until the government red tape runs its course before they can get some relief. It is better to donate locally to those in need, making sure that the money stays local improving the lives of those who gave so much for their country. It is simply the right thing to do.