A tradition that keeps on giving

Guest post by Corrie Butler, Red Cross Blogger

April 6-12 is National Volunteer Week. Meet some of the inspiring Red Cross volunteers who help us fulfill our mission in communities across Canada.

Jane Belyk delicate fingers weave effortlessly between her needle and wool. Her scarf is nearly done – dancing colours of blue, green and a pale yellow fill her design.

She is among a group of seven ladies sitting around a table at the Canadian Red Cross office in Calgary, like they do every Tuesday, knitting blankets and other material to local community groups, such as the Sheldon Kennedy Advocacy Centre and Raido Youth Transition House.

Photo: Jane Belyk is second from the right

Green, blue, pink and red – each colour of string lye carefully, woven and perfectly into place. Knitted stacks are organized and folded neatly on the table. Among the heaps of scarves, sweaters, blankets and hats sit steaming cups of tea. Outbursts of laughter fill the room.

Belyk smiles when I ask her how long she’s been knitting. She stops for a moment to recall the memories and proudly announces it’s been at least 40 years.

“I wanted something to do,” Jane recalls when she first started volunteering. “I knew Red Cross needed knitters so I decided to join!”

For Belyk, knitting for the Red Cross has been a long-standing tradition in her family.

“Both my mother and grandmother knitted for the Red Cross,” she said. “Since the First World War, they were knitting socks and sweaters for Canadian soldiers.”

Now, 105 years later, she continues the family tradition along with the six other women, laughing and sharing stories together.

Visit www.redcross.ca/volunteer for current volunteer opportunities.