Who wouldn’t appreciate a brand new, hand-knit, scarf on a cold winter’s day?
That is what Tina Head thought when she came up with the idea to help out the Summerland Food Bank, by knitting and donating scarves that could be given out to people at Christmas time.
Needing a little bit of help with her idea, Head turned to Sue Eden, who in turn approached the Rotary Club where she is a member, asking them if they would sponsor the project, which they agreed to do.
Thus was born, Rotary Hands in Motion.
Eden coordinates and organizes the knitters. She explained that much of the wool is donated by the knitters themselves, with the Rotary Club supplying any extra that may be needed.
“There are people all over town knitting. They knit at the Seniors Village, they knit at Angus Place. The people from Summerland that knit… they’re generosity is outstanding. It is a real service that they provide,” she said.
Once the scarves are finished, Eden collects them and she and her helpers then tie each scarf up with a ribbon and deliver them to the Summerland Food Bank.
On the day that people come to pick up food and toys for Christmas, Tina and her husband Dave are there to give out the scarves that they have both helped to knit.
“We make sure that everybody who wants a scarf can have one for every member of their family. We’ve never run short,” said Dave Head.
He explained that they also had some combinations of hats and gloves and a couple of things for babies as well as several blankets that had been knit this year.
“We’ll give them out until they are gone,” he said. “I’m a bit surprised at how quickly they are going but hey, I’m delighted to be surprised!”
If you know a positive story about someone in our community, contact Carla McLeod at carlamcleod@shaw.ca or contact the Summerland Review newsroom at 250-494-5406.