Poppy drive aids veterans

All boys and girls ages 6 through 10 can help U.S. veterans and troops by participating in the Veterans of Foreign Wars annual Poppy Prince and Princess contest.

"You will have fun supporting our veterans and troops by collecting money for them," VFW Ladies Auxiliary representative Norma Kriete said.

Participating children will be the guests at a party held in their honor at which time prizes will be awarded, including new bicycles for the top two collecting the most votes, plus other gifts for all other participants.

Children collect votes by decorating any kind of container and placing them at various businesses (maximum of four) and asking family, friends or neighbors for donations. Each penny counts as one vote.

All participants get to ride on a float in the VJ Day and Oktoberfest parades.

All the money collected goes to the veterans relief fund to help veterans, troops and their families as well as Veterans Administration hospitals, dialysis centers, nursing homes, cancer centers and for other local needs including care packages to troops and helping troops' families.

To participate, sign up from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at the Gaiser Park shelterhouse or call Kriete at 522-8378 or Betty Stoops at 523-4417.

"I'm sure that all of you have a dad, grandpa, sister, brother or someone that would be proud to know that you are doing this for them," Kriete said. "Our veterans and troops deserve all the help we can give them. They have fought, died and are still fighting for all of us. So sign up, win a new bicycle and other prizes and help our veterans."