The St. Marys Poppy Project has shown what a small town with a big heart can accomplish together. Over the past months, the community came together with knitting needles, crochet hooks, yarn, and plenty of enthusiasm to create something truly special. Poppies poured in from across our town and beyond, with volunteers of every skill level, from first-time knitters to seasoned crafters, sending their creations to be part of this shared tribute of remembrance.

Thanks to the dedication of countless hands and the guidance and coordination of our wonderful organizers more than 8,000 poppies have been handcrafted, collected, and carefully assembled into breathtaking poppy blankets. These vibrant red and black tributes will soon adorn some of the most visible landmarks in our town, offering a moving symbol of remembrance and gratitude.

Where to See the Displays

This November, the poppy blankets will be proudly displayed on:

• The railings of the St. Marys Royal Canadian Legion
• The St. Marys Town Hall
• The Queen Street Bridge (at James street water tower)

These displays are more than decorations — they are a testament to the creativity, compassion, and respect of our community for those who served and sacrificed.

Celebrating Our Volunteers and Organizers

This project would not have been possible without the tireless work of the volunteer organizers who coordinated patterns, collected poppies, scheduled sewing sessions, and inspired others to join in. Their vision and commitment transformed a simple idea into a stunning community tribute. To every organizer, knitter, crocheter, assembler, and supporter: thank you for helping St. Marys create something extraordinary.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/973629301330201

Bring your friends and join us on the first Sunday of the month for great fun!

Doors open at 11:30 and early bird play begins at 12:45. 

Bar and Kitchen will be open and serving lunch.

The program is set to run every Tuesday 10 am-12noon. From Sept until the end of May. It will be held at the Legion at 66 Church street in St. Marys. No registration is required as this is a drop-in event. Check the events calendar for dates

This is a free program for Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and RCMP Veterans, allied forces and First Responders.

Buddy Check Coffee is a peer program offering comradeship in a relaxed environment, encouraging military, RCMP members, Veterans, and first responders to network and share experiences and stories over donuts and coffee. Led by the Legion’s Operational Stress Injury Special Section (Legion OSI) and hosted by Legion members, Buddy Check Coffee is helping Veterans in their community connect and support each other.

Veterans Affairs Canada reports that
“about one-fifth of Canadian Veterans experience a diagnosed mental health disorder at some time during their lives– the most common are depression, PTSD and anxiety disorders. In a 2010 study of Veterans who were released from service between 1998 and 2007, about 24% reported they had a diagnosed mental health condition such as PTSD, depression or anxiety.”

Chronic Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Operational Stress Injuries are some of the least understood afflictions affecting military and RCMP members, Veterans, and first responders. As they are often left undiagnosed and/or misunderstood, or because symptoms often appear after release from the Armed Forces, Veterans are often left to their own devices to get the required medical care. They often cannot access the necessary diagnosticians and care providers because of the disconnect between Veterans Affairs Canada, provincial Ministries of Health, and the local health systems. To compound the challenge, the nature of OSIs often inhibits individuals from seeking help or accessing available resources.

For more information on the Buddy Check Program, contact the branch