The Mississippi Mills Community Poppy Project is looking for volunteers to help create 7,000 new hand-knitted and crocheted poppies for local Remembrance Day displays in Mississippi Mills, Ontario. The project is now in its third year and aims to expand the tributes that appear throughout Almonte, Pakenham, and Clayton each November.
Organizers have already collected more than 18,000 poppies from previous years to use in the upcoming 2026 displays. Project coordinator Mary Rozenberg says the new goal of 7,000 will help the project grow as it continues to honor Canadian veterans and active military members. All completed poppies must be dropped off by Tuesday, September 15, 2026.
The initiative needs help with more than just knitting and crocheting. Community members can also volunteer to tie the finished poppies onto large nets, install the displays in public spaces, or help with packing and storage. Those interested in participating can contact Rozenberg for patterns and more information.
The Mississippi Valley Textile Museum serves as a key logistics hub, where displays are taken for care and air-drying once they are removed. The Municipality of Mississippi Mills provides administrative support for the program, which focuses on building community ties while creating a visual tribute for the town.
