What began as one woman’s personal contribution to veterans in need has transformed into a community initiative.
Natasha Perin, owner of Crochet Fun by Natasha Perin, was inspired by a social media request for a crocheted version of a poppy that could be fashioned into a pin.
“I saw that the Calgary Veteran’s Food Bank needed help stocking their shelves and wanted to help out,” said the mother of two.
She took it upon herself to put out an offer to crochet a red flower (in the likeness of the signature red poppy) in exchange for minimum $3 donations with all proceeds going toward the food bank for veterans.
The Boys and Girls Club of Cochrane and Area is the Cochrane pick-up location for all pre-ordered flowers and whatever extras Perin is able to whip up for those interested in donating to the cause up until Remembrance Day.
By press time, Perin had crocheted nearly 100 flowers with a long list of flowers yet to be crocheted.
“I had no idea it would blow up like this,” she said with a laugh.
While she is confident she will be able to fill all her orders over the next week, the avid crocheter said she is maxed out for orders at the moment; each red flower takes 15 to 20 minutes to create.
Perin is asking anyone who wants to pitch in to make the poppy look-alikes to contact her through Facebook and help fulfill more orders in a community effort to raise funds for what she feels is a very worthwhile cause.
“I have the pattern for anyone willing to help out,” she said, adding that she is grateful to anyone who can donate red and black yarn.
Susan Taggart, a Bearspaw resident, donated $20 for four red flowers for herself, husband and two kids.
“It struck me as something completely wonderful,” said Taggart.
“Often times we want to volunteer our money or time but don’t know how to go about it … this is such a simply, pure gesture of good will.”
