Thanks to an idea from a team of students and professors at Fanshawe College, students from across the region will be engaging with Remembrance Day in a new and environmentally friendly way.
Titled The Poppy Project, which coincides with the 100TH anniversary of the poppy as Canada’s symbol of Remembrance, involves students creating sustainable poppies made from seed paper. These poppies can be worn and then planted in gardens to decompose, growing symbols of hope come spring.
Poppy exhibit in Fanshawe College commemorating the work of The Poppy Project (Kate Otterbein/XFM News)
“It’s really just a beautiful project around sustainability, around commemorating our veterans, around the work of our students, and the innovation of our college,” says Darlene O’Neill from Fanshawe College. “I think that the fact that it’s involving young students in schools, and students in college recognizing the service of veterans really links well with the military connected college initiative.”
Through a collaboration with the Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB), Montessori Academy of London, and the Royal Canadian Legion, these poppies are being sent to various schools across the city.
Arriving in the form of classroom kits, it contains supplies, a lesson plan with step-by-step instructions and a presentation focused on the history of the poppy.
O’Neill says “residents of Parkwood, which is the Veterans Hospital here in London, are also going to receive a poppy and some kits so that they can make their own as well.”
These kits are being distributed by volunteers from the local legion who will also return to collect donations raised by the students.
“All the poppies that are created will be available for donations just like you see in the grocery store,” says O’Neill.
Each classroom will then try to find a community partner where they can plant their poppies. The paper is made with Oriental poppy seeds, a species that is safe for Canadian gardens.
We admire this team for their perseverance and ability to laugh, learn, & celebrate our #TeacherFails . Awesome job and shoutout to these @TVDSB teams.. sustainable poppies coming soon! @ExperienceTVDSB @NikitaLdnont @RamonaMeharg @ArthurVoaden @FanshaweCollege @RoyalCdnLegion https://t.co/SLIWMFMoSQ
— TVInnovates (@TVInnovates) October 22, 2021
“I think it’s a really good lesson of the future meeting the past,” says O’Neill. “It shows our veterans that we’re still planting the seeds of hope in our young people.”
This is not the first time Fanshawe College has implemented a Remembrance Day initiative. Last year, Fanshawe College and the Canadian Armed Forces partnered to provide a student-focused military-connected campus, providing financial support for CAF members, Veterans and their families.
Canadian singer-songwriter Terry Kelly also announced a partnership with Fanshawe College for ‘Operation – A Pittance of Time.’ An invitation for Canadians to stop what they’re doing for a pittance of time on Remembrance Day and feel a moment of gratitude for the sacrifices made by the serving men and women. Fanshawe is the first post-secondary institution in Canada to partner with the Operation.
“I celebrate, admire and thank the visionary leadership and staff of Fanshawe College for stepping up and standing out by enriching their community with unique creativity that will embrace every military-connected student from far and wide with compassion,” said Terry Kelly.
Now, moving to The Poppy Project less than a year later, O’Neill adds that “as a military connected College, as well as an innovative College, we will work with the Legion to try to find a paper manufacturer to infuse the paper with poppy seeds. And maybe we can spread this throughout Ontario, and then throughout Canada, in the coming years.”
Stay tuned for more information about The Poppy Project.
Poppy exhibit in Fanshawe College commemorating the work of The Poppy Project (Kate Otterbein/XFM News)
