Student volunteers from local National Honor Society chapters at Jordan High School, Tompkins High School, and Cinco Ranch High School assisted the American Legion Auxiliary Post 164 in making poppies to hand out on Veterans Day, November 11. Even moms and siblings contributed time and energy to the project, for a total of about 16 participants.

The volunteers came together on September 20 and made about 1000 poppies to help the Auxiliary reach its goal of creating 3000 poppies to hand out on Veterans Day and another 3000 to give out on Memorial Day next year. Volunteers will continue to make poppies every Sunday in October.

“It is a way for them to honor veterans and active duty service members,” said Linda Malsbary, Unit 164 Katy poppy chairman. “They learn the significance of the poppy, the symbol for those who died during WWI and poppies grew on the fields where they died (Flanders Field poem) and continuing to remember them.”

Malsbary said that the auxiliary has been fortunate to partner with Katy ISD for Girls and Boys State, Oratorical competition and other projects. “Because of that we have an amazing relationship with the counselors and sponsors of each high school and a connection to NHS,” she said. “Each year we send them a sign up for their students to volunteer.” For more information on the program, please contact Linda Malsbary at linda.malsbary@yahoo.com.