For the past two weeks volunteers at the Orléans Legion have been busy turning more than 11,000 knitted and crocheted poppies into a display to mark the 100th anniversary of the national veterans’ organization.
The Orléans Legion is among several Legion branches in Ontario that have launched their own Poppy Projects. The local project is the brainchild of Ladies Auxiliary president Wendy Fortier.
When the Legion first launched the project last spring, Fortier was hoping they might get 5,000 knitted and crocheted poppies. That goal was surpassed within the first six weeks and the poppies kept coming. In fact, knitted poppies are still arriving every day along with cash donations that have been used to purchase wool for other knitters.
The poppies been knitted by more than 50 individuals and a number of organizations including the Busy Fingers knitting club in Orléans, St. Helen’s Anglican Church and several seniors homes.
“I’m absolutely blown away,” says Fortier. “Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think we would get so many.”
One of the things that Fortier has found so interesting about the project is the many different types of poppies they’ve received. The poppies have been created using differ-ent shades of red wool and they’re a variety of different sizes.
More than 40 volunteers have been meet-ing at the Legion to attach the poppies to two large cargo nets. Fortier estimates they will need to meet again in a week or so to finish the job.
In the weeks leading up to Remembrance Day, the poppy festooned cargo nets will be draped over the outside wall of the Legion that faces the cenotaph.
The Royal Canadian Legion was founded in 1925 as the Canadian Legion of the British Empire Services League. The organization was essentially an amalgamation of 15 various veteran groups that formed in the years following the First World War. The largest of them was The Great War Veterans Association.
In 1960, Queen Elizabeth II granted the Canadian Legion of the British Empire Services League royal patronage and so it became the Royal Canadian Legion.
Today, there more than 1,350 branches of The Royal Canadian Legion located in communities across Canada.
The Orléans Legion is Branch 632 in Ontario. It was formed in 1980.
ORLÉANS FARMERS’ MARKET from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Orléans Town Centre Plaza, 290 Centrum Blvd. Browse 130+ local vendors, grab a bite, and discover amazing handmade and local finds. Plenty of parking available.
CUMBERLAND FARMERS’ MARKET from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the R.J. Kennedy Arena in Cumberland Village with a variety of local farmers and vendors ready to showcase their freshest produce, handmade goods, and unique finds! FREE ADMISSION
MILLENNIUM PARK BBQ hosted by Orléans South-Navan councillor Catherine Kitts and Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe from 1-3 p.m. with live music and entertainment by children’s performers Monkey Rock Music, a free BBQ, and tons of family fun.
