SASKATOON —
A Prince Albert senior has spent about 900 hours this previous 12 months knitting and crocheting scarves for folks within the metropolis who’re dwelling homeless.
Eleanor George, 84, mentioned it took her a minimal of 5 hours to make every scarf.
With knitting and crochet needles in her fingers for a number of hours a day this previous 12 months, she managed to make 175 scarves to present to the much less lucky.
“Not everyone will get one thing home made,” mentioned George. “I all the time really feel there’s a necessity within the metropolis.”
She additionally washed, dried, conditioned and individually bagged the scarves.
George donated them to metropolis council’s annual vacation initiative that distributes baggage of requirements to homeless folks in Prince Albert. The pandemic has compelled its regular Christmas Eve get-together on the Union Centre, the place folks can choose up the baggage and go to over espresso and snacks.
Up to now, Ward 1 Coun. Charlene Miller and former Ward 3 Coun. Evert Botha took on the venture. This 12 months, all of metropolis council helps out with Miller main.
She mentioned councillors be distributing baggage of heat clothes to locations like homeless shelters and detox centres.
“When Eleanor acquired ahold of me final 12 months at Christmas time to say she was going to do 175 scarves for me, I used to be overwhelmed,” mentioned Miller.
“I didn’t know if someone might do 175 scarves in a 12 months, however she did it.”
Miller, together with Mayor Greg Dionne, picked up the scarves at George’s dwelling on Saturday afternoon. She additionally gave scarves to Miller and Dionne.
George’s buddy, Arlene Kennedy, made a further 31 scarves for the baggage.
George mentioned she completed making her final scarf on Friday night time. By some means, she mentioned, she nonetheless has yarn left over.
Final 12 months, George made a financial donation in order that Miller might purchase scarves. As a result of she taught herself how one can knit and crochet at a younger age, she needed to problem herself to make them as a substitute.
When the pandemic hit in March, George mentioned she had loads of time to make them. She solely took breaks in the summertime to handle her backyard.
“I don’t drive anymore, so I can’t exit, so this simply saved me sane,” mentioned George.
“I belong to Mont St. Joe’s (Joseph) Auxiliary and I work within the canteen there and I educate an artwork class there. I can’t go there anymore. I belong to Senior Advocacy, I can’t go there anymore. I can’t go to train class — I’ve to do one thing,” she mentioned with a smile.
The baggage metropolis council is distributing may also include different heat clothes gadgets resembling toques, mitts and socks.
