St. Marys Legion Poppy Project a huge success

A group of busy volunteers met on Saturday at the Queen Street bridge by the train station to attach more of the knitted and crocheted poppies. The display is impressive and is a strong reminder of Remembrance Day and our veterans who gave up so much for us.

By Wendy Lamond

They say it takes a village and that couldn’t be more true than when Lynn Leslie and Deb Hutton presented the idea for a St. Marys poppy project early this year.

What is a poppy project? It is the creation of a beautiful blanket of red and black, hand-crocheted or knitted poppies displayed as a way to honour and remember the sacrifice of all veterans.

What started out as an effort to make enough poppies to cover the St. Marys Legion railings turned into collecting approximately 8,200 handmade poppies. When the word got out about this heartwarming project, many volunteers stepped forward to donate money, yarn and their knitting and crocheting talents. Not only have those poppies covered the Legion railing, they are also now on bridges and at St. Marys town hall.

“The project could not have happened without so many people coming together,” Leslie said. “A big thank you to the people who helped get the project up and running, to everyone who knitted or crocheted poppies, to those who donated financially or with supplies.

“Also, a big thank you to those that donated their time at the work parties helping to attach the poppies, to the businesses who allowed the volunteers to use their spaces as drop-off locations or opened their doors, allowing people to drop in and attach the poppies.”

Another wonderful benefit that came out of doing this project was the bringing together of people who wanted to share their stories about loved ones who served. Leslie hopes they have made the town proud and have shown the veterans the people of St. Marys and surrounding areas will always remember and be thankful for their sacrifices.

“So when you see these displays around town, think about their bravery and the fear these men and women felt before heading into battle; think about the ones that never made it back; think about the loved ones they left behind; think about the ones that made it home but with images that will never leave them and remember all of them.” Leslie said.

“I would like to thank those that helped to hang the banners and the Legion for all of their support.”