On November 11, 2016 Unit 19 of the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary from Jennings conducted their annual Poppy Drive. In the photo, Unit 19 President Trudy Born, assisted by Darrell Landry from James O. Hall Post 19 of the American Legion from Jennings, is shown collecting donations at the entrance to the Walmart Supercenter in Jennings. Donations were also collected at the locations of Piggly Wiggly and Hanson Super Foods, both in Jennings.
Unit members and supporters who assisted with the Poppy Drive were Ella Mae Richard, Ella Dartez-Williams, Lillian Benoit, Carl Benoit, Lola Bertrand, Margaret Robin, and Lenor Cox.
Millions of red crepe paper poppies are handmade every year by veterans and distributed across the country by Auxiliary and Legion members in exchange for donations totaling more than $2 million a year. Until recently, 100 percent of funds derived from the distribution of poppies went toward assisting disabled and hospitalized veterans. However, due to the mounting needs of active-duty service members, Resolution 20 was passed during the Legion’s 2013 National Executive Committee Spring Meetings to allow donations collected as of May 9, 2013, to not only assist veterans, but also active-duty military personnel and their families with medical and financial needs.
Unit 19 of the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary greatly appreciates the tremendous generosity of the residents of Jennings and the surrounding area in supporting this worthwhile project.
