'I’m ready to go': Toronto woman crafts paper poppies to support Veterans
In a home festooned with bright paper poppies, you’ll find their creator hard at work, amidst a stack of red and black tissue paper.
“I just thought, you know, my dad would really love this if he were here,” said Margot Rockett, who decided to make poppies in his honour, and for all those who’ve served.
“I just think there’s an opening for a poppy on a door, like a wreath. I think it’s a really good visual symbol that this household, this family, these people, are recognizing, you know, veterans, and supporting the poppy fund.”
The Beach native says she started crafting these home-made poppies last fall, because COVID-19 was keeping people indoors.
“I read news reports that the poppy campaign was going to love funds because of COVID.”
The 57-year-old’s father, Lloyd, was a veteran, who spent the last years of his life at Sunnybrook Veterans Centre.
“My father got the best care possible, and I felt that, you know, the poppy fund supports long-term care facilities like Sunnybrook, but they also support home care,” said Rockett.
Rockett charges $10 per large poppy, and $4 for their smaller counterparts, with all the proceeds going to the Poppy Fund.
“I raised almost $800 last year, so I’m hoping to surpass that this year.”
Last fall, Rockett says she was up until 2 a.m. some nights, trying to get orders completed. However, this November, she is going to have help.
“I have a great support system. I have friends, neighbours, family, that all want to help me make the poppy. So if there’s a big demand, I’ve got a team, I’m ready to go.”
If you live in Toronto and want a door poppy, you can text: 647-208-5388 to place your order. Rockett says she and/or one of her friends will even deliver, if you live in the East End.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Maple Leafs fall to Bruins in Game 3, trail series 2-1
Brad Marchand scored twice, including the winner in the third period, and added an assist as the Boston Bruins downed the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series Wednesday
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
'Life was not fair to him': Daughter of N.B. man exonerated of murder remembers him as a kind soul
The daughter of a New Brunswick man recently exonerated from murder, is remembering her father as somebody who, despite a wrongful conviction, never became bitter or angry.
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.