TORG grows the Poppy Day program at its centers this Memorial Day weekend

Lime and rubble left behind in French and Belgian battlefield after World War I so enriched the soil that fields of red poppies sprouted. From that event grew the American Legion’s practice of selling poppy lapel pins on Memorial Day weekend to benefit veterans.

This year, The Outlet Resource Group has joined with the American Legion Auxiliary to create the “Honoring the Brave” program and sell poppies at six of its centers beginning this Thursday and running through Memorial Day. 

Along with their poppy pins, contributors to the charity get Poppy Savings Cards that give them 25% off purchases at 30 participating retailers throughout the weekend.

“Poppy Day has continued to flourish in Canada and Europe, but has lagged in America,” said TORG senior VP of marketing Thomas Schneck. “We thought this would be a program people would appreciate as the pandemic loosens its stranglehold on the country.”

Select outlet centers will erect Honoring the Brave Tribute Walls on which donors can leave messages to soldiers.  Other events include flag ceremonies, military displays, and community musical performances.

Participating centers include Lincoln City Outlets in Oregon, OKC Outlets in Oklahoma, Outlets Nags Head in North Carolina, Outlets Ocean City in Maryland, Outlets Park City in Utah, and Outlets Williamsburg in Iowa.

Retailers participating in the discount program include Columbia Sportswear Company, Crocs, J.Crew Factory Stores, Michael Kors, Old Navy Outlet, and Tommy Hilfiger.