Local Veterans Collected Money To Help Others

Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 819 raised $1,421 last week to help ex-servicemen in need by giving out "Buddy Poppies at San Leandro's two Safeway Stores.

Former Mayor Tony Santos, who took part in the effort, noted that the poppie emblems are inspired by the World War I poem, "In Flanders Fields," which used the image of blowing poppies to signify row upon row of graves.

VFW member Michael Wong, another participant, said Buddy Poppies are made by disabled veterans. Local VFWs buy the poppies and give them out for donations. The disable veterans get the money. The fundraising is meant to help with family welfare, job search and education expenses

VFW Post 819 meets at 7:00 p.m. on the third Tuesday of every month at the .