As a regular attendee at The Salvation Army since she was 16, Clara Preete’s faith in God taught her to look beyond herself and think of others. For 24 years, she has knitted mittens for the Army’s Christmas hampers. She’s also made toques for newborns at the Melfort Hospital in Saskatchewan for 12 years.

Asked what she hopes for the people who receive the mittens, Clara responds from her home in Melfort.

“I hope their hands will be warm!” she laughs and then goes on to say, “I also hope people who come to The Salvation Army will realize what God can do for them.”

During each Christmas season, Clara’s knitted items are included in Salvation Army hampers on request and also placed at a display table for anyone to take on the day they pick up their hamper.

Gifting With Love

Clara first learned to knit at school in Grade 5.

As part of a class project, Clara and her classmates knitted 25-centimetre (10-inch) squares that were assembled into blankets for the Red Cross, and then sent to serving soldiers.

It was her first venture into knitting for a good cause, but it certainly would not be her last.

“One of my neighbours came over and taught me how to knit socks,” says Clara. “Then she taught me how to read patterns and make mittens, and then I got my own patterns.”

With a large family on both sides, Clara found joy in making and gifting items for those whom she loved—“baby outfits, mitts, socks and scarves.”

“People Love Them”

“You won’t find a pair of mittens knit with more love than the ones Clara provides,” says Salvation Army pastor Major Rick Robins who, together with his wife, Major Jennifer Robins, led The Salvation Army Melfort—Circuit with Nipawin and Tisdale until recently.

“We’d see people wearing them when they’d come into the thrift store and around town. People love them.

“For many, it reminded them of the ones their grandmother or great-grandmother made for them and brought up fond memories. They’ve all been very grateful that someone has thought to make something for them.”

“You won’t find a pair of mittens knit with more love than the ones Clara Preete provides.” MAJOR RICK ROBINS

Clara has since had to slow down the number of knitted projects she can make due to health issues, but her faith in God continues to give her strength each day.

“God has been with me through many situations in my life and I rely on Him to pull me through,” she says. “Without Him, I don’t know where I’d be.”

Melissa Yue Wallace is a journalism graduate and freelance writer who is passionate about helping people in need and encouraging the organizations that work tirelessly to care for them. Melissa lives in Richmond Hill, Ont., with her husband and twin children.

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