Freedom Garden to Break Ground at Watertown’s 2nd Annual Poppy Picnic

The City of Watertown invites the public to come to the Commander’s Mansion on May 27 for the Second Annual Poppy Picnic!

Grab your picnic blanket and join us on May 27th, 2022, to kick off the Memorial Day Weekend! There will be music, food trucks, kids’ games, crafts, story time, adaptive game demos, military vehicles, a donation station, and the groundbreaking for The Freedom Garden.

At the picnic, Operation American Soldier will be accepting donations of non-perishable goods to send to our troops. With each donation, you will be entered for a chance to receive an engraved memorial brick to dedicate to a friend or family member for no additional charge. To view a list of suggested donations please see below.

WHEN: May 27th from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: The Commander’s Mansion, 440 Talcott Ave., Watertown

FB – https://www.facebook.com/events/403839587910608

Webpage – https://www.commandersmansion.com/events

Thank you to all who are involved:

The American Veterans (AMVETS), Post 14
Disabled and Limbless Veterans Inc.
Green Urb Gardens
Ideal Lawn Care
Natalie Nigito Photography
Northeast Passage
Operation American Soldier
Pvt. Charles J. Shutt Marine Corps League
Chillwagon – ice cream truck
South Shore Taco Guy – food truck
VFW Post 1105
Watertown Police Department
Watertown Public Arts & Culture
Watertown Recreation Department
Watertown Veterans’ Services
Watertown Free Public Library

Suggested donation items for Operation American Soldier:

BREAKFAST – instant oatmeal, single serve cereal containers, cereal bars. Flavored & regular coffee (ground and instant), creamer, tea bags, cider mix, hot chocolate.
BEVERAGES – Kool-Aid, Gatorade, Crystal Light, and other powdered drink mixes, individual serving size.
FOOD – soups, canned pasta, tuna; canned/packaged meals. All canned goods should have pop tops.
SNACKS – peanut butter, microwave popcorn, nuts, pretzels, energy bars, Pepperoni or sausage sticks, jerky meat, sunflower seeds, protein bars, granola bars, fruit snacks, canned fruit.
COOKIES – single serving size packs, cheese or peanut butter & crackers in shippable packaging.
CLOTHES – tee shirts, white tube socks, sports bras.
TOILETRIES – wet wipes/baby wipes, NON-AEROSOL shaving cream, shavers, toothbrush, toothpaste, shower gel, feminine items, moisturizer, body & foot powder, hand sanitizers, lip balm, shampoo. Small sizes ship best, please no sample sizes.
MISC. ITEMS – Q-Tips, AA/AAA batteries, earbuds, portable charges, books and current magazines (sports, fitness, general news, entertainment and vehicles).