95-year-old Manitoban knits dozens of mittens for Christmas hampers
Countless pairs of little hands will be warmer this winter thanks to the hard work of a 95-year-old Manitoban.
Shirley Mitchell has spent months carefully knitting pairs and pairs of mittens to be included in the Brandon-Westman Christmas Cheer Board hampers this holiday season.
“It was something to do when I was sitting, watching TV, just to keep my hands busy,” Mitchell told CTV News Winnipeg in a phone interview from her home at an assisted living facility in Brandon.
Mitchell has been knitting for decades, having taken up the hobby when her first daughter Joanne was born.
She admits the craft didn’t come naturally, at first.
“My husband wondered if I was knitting for an elephant,” she joked.
Mitchell began knitting for the cheer board four years ago. Her first year, she knit over 40 pairs. The next, she made 52.
“My goal was one a week, and so I did that,” she said.
Mitchell took 2021 off to deal with some health issues.
She was back at it this year, but there was a learning curve once she dusted off her needles and yarn.
“When I first started, I couldn't remember how to do them, but it came back to me,” she said.
Mitchell said she finds knitting calming, even continuing to churn out mitts while recovering from two separate cataract surgeries this summer and fall.
She pays for most of the materials herself, and said she gets something in return, as well.
“It gives you a sense of accomplishment and feels good to be able to give them to kids who maybe couldn’t afford them,” she said.
INCREASE NEED FOR HAMPERS EXPECTED
Cheer board volunteer Maureen Cobb anticipates about 1,200 families will sign up to receive hampers this holiday season, a number that is up slightly from last year.
“We know it's going to be a cold winter. Food is definitely in need and inflation, that's made a big difference for people, of course,” she said.
Each hamper includes supplies to make a Christmas feast, like turkey, ham, or chicken, potatoes, stuffing and cranberry sauce, plus some extra nonperishable groceries like crackers, rice and cereal.
Hampers also include unwrapped toys for kids, plus warm weather gear, like Mitchell’s mittens.
Cobb said she looks forward to a call from Mitchell every November, arranging a pick-up for that year’s supply.
“She doesn't look for attention. She just quietly knits throughout the year, and she's so modest. She's just happy to contribute what she can.”
At 95 years young, Mitchell doesn’t plan to put down her knitting needles any time soon.
“I’m on a pair of mitts now for next year. We’ll see how that goes,” she joked.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
Teacher shortages see some Ontario high school students awarded perfect grades on midterm exams
Students at a high school in York Region have been awarded perfect marks on their midterm exams in three subjects – not because of their academic performances however, but because they had no teacher.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Doctors combine a pig kidney transplant and a heart device in a bid to extend woman's life
Doctors have transplanted a pig kidney into a New Jersey woman who was near death, part of a dramatic pair of surgeries that also stabilized her failing heart.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
An Ontario senior thought he called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.