KNITTING FOR THE NEEDY
KnitFit Knit-a-thon helps Cape Breton families and children’s literacy.
More than 60 knitters were at the McConnell Library in Sydney on Saturday to do an activity they love for a good cause.
The 11th KnitFit Knit-a-thon is a fundraising event where knitters and crochetters donate their time and talent to help Cape Breton families and support children’s literacy programs at the library.
The event not only raises money and helps many organizations in Cape Breton, it’s also a great place for people who enjoy knitting to socialize.
“This is just wonderful —– everyone gets along and we have a good time and we’re doing something good for other people and helping and long may it last,” said Jill Harcourt, who added that the annual session is also a perfect place to learn the tricks of the trade.
“We do pass on different ways of knitting and different patterns and things like that. There’s an exchange of thoughts and ideas and things. This is fantastic — it justifies me enjoying myself.”
Mary Lou Blundon, who has been to four previous knit-athons at the Library, said she enjoys the hobby and helping others.
“It’s magnificent to see so many people dedicate themselves to helping people that are not as fortunate as ourselves. I really do also enjoy the social aspect of it all. We enjoy being together and passing around patterns and stuff like that,” said Blundon.
The event has steadily increased since its inception. In its first year there were roughly 10 knitters who donated 250 items. Last year, about 60 people participated and there were just over 12,50 items donated. In the last 10 years the event has raised more than $13,000 to support children’s literacy programs at the library and local charities.
Christine Thomson, a coordinator of work programs and events for the McConnell Library, said the knit-a-thon’s have also been a great help for the library and children’s programs.
“We averaged $1,300 a year and when we have done anywhere from $900 to $2,000 a year, which is a major difference for our budget because our budget is around that area. It’s a major portion of the budget for our children’s programs,” said Thomson.
Before Christmas, more than 450 knitted/crochetted items already collected were donated to charities that provide free clothes to families in need in Cape Breton and Victoria counties, including the Salvation Army, the Every Woman’s Centre, Transition House, the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Loaves and Fishes, a local men’s homeless shelter, and the Access 808 Youth Resource Centre in Sydney.
“We should be on the same pace of donations as last year. This year we donated 450 items and by the end of the year last year it was about 750, but I think we have more coming in now than we did last March, so if we get between 1,000 and 1,200, that’s a really good number of items donated.”
The event was held from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and had a variety of bonuses for those who participated like a free lunch that was donated by local grocery stores and door prizes that were donated by local businesses.
There are also knitting groups in libraries across the CBRM that are held regularly for anyone who wants to learn or share their knitting talents with likeminded people. For more information visit www.cbrl.ca.