Celebrating Compassion: Brenda Ward, “The Poppy Lady”

Brenda Ward, affectionately known throughout the community as “The Poppy Lady,” has been named the inaugural recipient of the Municipality of North Grenville’s Compassionate Care Award.

The award recognizes volunteer efforts by an individual or group that demonstrate creativity in compassionate care, including imagination, originality, innovation or artistic expressions of care. Brenda’s annual Poppy Remembrance Day Art Installation at the Clock Tower in Rotary Park is a beautiful example of what compassion can look like when an idea grows into a community effort.

Brenda first brought the idea to Kemptville after seeing a similar handmade poppy display in Western Canada. What began with a group of friends knitting and crocheting poppies has grown year after year, with members of the community and contributors from across Canada creating poppies for the display.

Over the years, thousands of handmade poppies have become part of the installation. Each is a little different, reflecting the hands and hearts of the people who created it. Together, they transform the Clock Tower into a striking tribute to Canada’s veterans and those who have served.

For Brenda, however, the installation has always been about more than the number of poppies. She describes it as a community project, made possible by the many people who knit, crochet, donate, help install the display and return each year to remember together.

The annual installation has become a place for reflection, remembrance and connection in the heart of our community. It also demonstrates something at the heart of Compassionate North Grenville: compassion does not have to be complicated. Sometimes it begins with a simple idea and an invitation for others to take part.

The result can become something much bigger.

Brenda’s creativity, dedication and ability to bring people together make her a fitting first recipient of the Compassionate Care Award.

Congratulations, Brenda, and thank you for helping North Grenville remember, connect and care for one another through creativity and community.