Poppies, Yes...Poppies!

We were lucky enough to participate in the Poppy Appeal this week. I've mentioned wearing poppies before, the tradition around Armistice Day here in Great Britain. Poppies start appearing on peoples' clothing at the end of October as the British Legion begins selling them door to door and in public squares. This year, the Cambridge Ward volunteered to help man some of the booths.

Derek, Henry, and I spent three hours at a booth just outside a department store on Wednesday this week. I have to say, I was incredibly impressed with the generosity of people! We didn't have a dull moment; we never had to ask people if they'd like to buy a poppy. They either had one on their coat already or stopped themselves. 

The poppies are little paper things that you can stick in a button hole or pin to your coat, or you can buy nice enamel ones that look like tie tacks (that's what Derek and I have). There is no set "price" for things, just suggested donations. But honestly--there were people who paid £5 for one little enamel piece (suggestion was £2) or a couple pounds for just a paper one. There was one woman who went by us twice. She already had a poppy pinned to her jacked, but on the way in, she dropped all of her change in the collection tin. On the way out, she put the change she had received from her purchase inside in our tin as well. She laughed and told me every time she passes a Poppy booth she donates what she can. Really though--we had several £5 notes put in our tin; we must have collected over £50 in just a few hours. People really are amazing and generous.

Not a single person turned up their nose at us, said anything rude, told us the money doesn't actually go to the veterans, etc. It was nice to be collecting for a cause I believe in and most everyone else does, too!

Henry was a little angel, as usual, and many people enjoyed watching him as they walked buy or purchased their poppies. He fell asleep after a while though--poor little volunteer! Tuckered himself out. 

I'm grateful we had the opportunity to help support the veterans this year. It felt so good to know that we were helping people who have served us--giving so much of themselves for our safety. The Poppy Appeal is an amazing tradition. We are looking forward to taking a Poppy Wreath to the American Servicemen Cemetery here in Cambridge on Remembrance Sunday, which is a week. I hope that everyone will take the opportunity to thank a veteran this year and to show some support for those who have given their lives for our freedom.