On Monday all 95 residents at Champlain Manor retirement home were surprised with paper animals that were handcrafted by the daughter and grandchildren of Patricia Armstrong, a resident of the home.
Orillia resident Rhonda Atkins was inspired by the Telus #SpreadTheLove campaign to put her children and nieces to work in order to make 100 paper animals.
“I work for Telus, and they are famous for doing lots for their community, and for the month of February they had a campaign that was #SpreadTheLove where people were encouraged to do acts of kindness for their community,” Atkins explained.
“My own Mom lives in Champlain Manor and with COVID I know how difficult it is for residents with not being able to have family members visit, so I thought maybe my family would like to do something nice for them.”
Atkins' son Tyler is a passionate origami artist, which gave the family the idea to make 100 paper animals, and they committed to Champlain Manor that they would have them done by the end of February.
Initially, Rhonda, Tyler, Jessica, and Jennifer were making the paper animals by hand with an exacto knife, paper, and glue. To help speed up the process they began using a Cricut Maker to help print the shapes out. The Atkins family finished the project just before their Feb. 28 deadline.
“We ultimately did get the 100 done, and when we took them over we were told everyone was happy to get them,” Atkins said.
“When they told my Mom that her grandchildren made them she was grinning ear to ear. We were happy to bring a smile to their day.”
Pauline Rupke, activities coordinator at Champlain Manor, wrote to the Atkins family to thank them for brightening spirits at the retirement home.
“They loved the different animals and were showing each other, they were a real hit!” she said. "We appreciate all the hard work and many hours of folding required to create the animals, some big and some small ... Well done."
A TikTok of all 100 paper animals can be seen here.
