Penetanguishene knitters create art for young and old
The newest to the oldest benefit from the busy hands of the knitters in Penetanguishene.
Whether it's hats for preemies at the Orillia neo-natal care unit or blankets for veterans in Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, a dozen knitters at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 68 care for them all, said Toni Reynolds, spokesperson for the group.
"When you hand a parcel to a veteran, the emotion between those two people is incredible," Reynolds said. "They'll say, 'We didn't think anybody remembered us'."
During COVID-19, the knitters gave blankets to seniors in nursing homes.
They also knit blankets for families who have lost their belongings in house fires.
Not only do they knit for the young and young-at-heart, they also knit small Izzy dolls that travel the world with students on school trips, the Lions Clubs, as well as medical personnel travelling abroad.
Reynolds said they pack the medicine and supplies using Izzy dolls instead of packing filler to get more in.
"You get tired of knitting the same thing over and over. When you love knitting, you try to find new things to knit," she said.
This Christmas season, the legion knitters are creating 40 to 50 book bags for seniors to carry their puzzle books and novels.
She's even found enough tiny soldiers dressed in camouflage with tiny Canadian flags affixed to pin to each bag they give out.
"Whatever happens, when we can help, we're there," she said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Man convicted of involuntary manslaughter in father's drowning, told police he was baptizing him
A Massachusetts man who told police he was exorcising a demon and performing a baptism when he shoved his father's head under water multiple times has been convicted of involuntary manslaughter in his death.
New Norad commander calls Canada's defence policy update 'very encouraging'
American troops will be spending more time training in the Far North, the new commander of Norad says, a strategy that fits 'hand-in-glove' with Canada's renewed focus on Arctic defence.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Are Canadians getting sick from expired food?
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.