Keeping the community cozy is the goal of a group of women residing at the Langley Seniors Village.
Every Christmas season, staff and residents at Retirement Concepts – including Langley Seniors Village hold a campaign to knit, buy, and collect toques, socks, and scarves to keep Langley’s homeless and vulnerable residents warm.
Resident and knitter Maxine Olson said she likes to participate because it’s “important to share.”
“I like making things, producing, giving things. It’s important to share what we can share and it’s something I can still do and enjoy doing. It’s a lot of fun. When you think someone else will get some good out of it, it makes it very important.”
The idea was sparked by former resident Barbara Vance, who decided to give her knitted-attire such as socks to those in need, dubbing the campaign participants the “Sock Grannies.”
At Langley Seniors Village, the campaign tradition carries on and a dedicated group of women ensure those in need are getting help year-round.
Langley Seniors Village community relations manager Tania de Pape explained the group donates the cozy items to Langley’s Salvation Army Gateway of Hope, Ishtar Transition Housing Society, and the new Youth Hub Centre.
“All of us want to have a sense of purpose. It doesn’t matter where we live, what our age is. They’re [residents] so generous all of them. They want to help whatever way they can be it knit it, crochet it, donate money, go out and purchase, whatever it looks like.”
And while not all the group’s volunteers are able to knit – they find different ways to help out, such as brainstorming fundraiser ideas, or organizing donations.
Volunteer Dorothy Trotman said she can’t knit much, but that doesn’t stop her from attending weekly meetings to offer her help and to watch the donations pile up.
“I dont knit anymore too much, it’s kind of hard with my hands. It’s just so nice someone’s going to have nice warm hands, warm feet.”
Langley Seniors Village is accepting donations of purchased or hand-made socks, toques, and scarves until Jan. 30 at their location on 20363 65 Ave.
For more information, contact the Langley Seniors Village reception at 604-539-9934.
