Malden VFW's Poppy Drive to Support Disabled American Vets Ends Saturday

The Malden VFW's annual Poppy Drive to benefit Disabled American Veterans concludes Saturday night.

All donations will benefit the Chelsea Soldier’s Home. Mayor Gary Christenson made the first donation to the cause.

The VFW conducted its first poppy distribution before Memorial Day in 1922, reads a city press statement. Poppies were assembled by disabled veterans who would be paid for their work to provide them with some form of financial assistance, the statement adds. 

"The poppy soon was adopted as the official memorial flower of the Veterans of Foreign Wars," reads the statement. "Today, VFW Poppies are still assembled by veterans in VA Hospitals."

DAV Commanders will be collecting contributions and handing out VFW Poppies in front of Stop & Shop, City Hall and Kappy’s on Sept. 26-28 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. If you can't make a donation in person, contributions can be mailed to the Malden DAV, Attn: Poppy Drive, 85 Willow St., Malden, MA 02148.

For more information, contact Commander Bud Klasner at 339-224-0155.