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Livingston’s American Legion Auxiliary Poppy Distribution has been cancelled this year.
The poppy distribution is an annual fundraiser for veterans and their families in need. Auxiliary Unit 4 Poppy Representative Romanna Schnitcke said the legion cancelled due to being unable to social distance.
“It’s a very personal thing,” Schnitcke said. “We approach people’s cars, or the people themselves, and have a lot of close contact with the people that we’re giving the poppies to. That and we decided that with so many people having financial difficulties right now, we didn’t want people to feel obligated to give us money when they should be keeping for their families.”
The event can’t reschedule to the fall due to a scheduling conflict with the Overton VFW. Schnitcke said the legion will leave donation boxes for residents to leave their contributions and take a poppy.
Schnitcke said in the meantime, the legion will stretch out their current funds in order to continue their mission.
“We do food baskets for the veterans at Christmas time,” Schnitcke said. “We do gift bags for them at the nursing home, and we help veterans in need. [Also] we buy them groceries, we help them with utility bills, and we help them with different living expenses that they might encounter that they may not have the funds for.”
Poppies have been a part of the Auxiliary Legion since their founding 100 years ago, Schnitcke said.
