Puppets for patients

Tiny fingers at the Aberdeen Hospital will not only be a little warmer, but will also bring a smile to a child’s face.

The Pictou District Women’s Institute, which includes 10 branches, recently donated more than 12,000 knitted finger puppets to the local hospital’s laboratory unit to help ease the fears of children brought in for blood tests.

“We want to help turn a scary situation into a positive thing,” said Pictou District WI president Lynn MacLean.

MacLean said the district project was done in conjunction with Women’s Institute Week, which is being celebrated across Canada this week.

The Pictou District has more than 100 members who support their communities through volunteer work.

The first Women’s Institute was founded in 1897 in Stoney Creek, Ontario and by 1913 it was established in all the provinces.

The Women’s Institute motto, “For Home and Country” aims to promote an appreciation for rural living, to develop informed citizens through the study of national and international issues and to initiate national programs to achieve common goals.

MacLean said in addition to the finger puppet project, each of the 10 branches have taken on their own special projects in honour of the special week, which are over and above their regular obligations.

For example, she said, she knows some have contributed to The Coldest Night walk-a-thon coming up this weekend, while others have supported such organizations as Tearmann House.