SUMMERSIDE – Oct. 26, 2021 – The Summerside Salvation Army has graciously accepted 39 knitted crafts – children’s mittens, socks, slippers, toques, scarves and even a teddy bear – made and donated by a dozen residents of the Chez-Nous Co-op community care facility and Le Bel âge complex in Wellington. Darlene MacDonald, family services coordinator for the Salvation Army, said thanks to this wonderful contribution, nearly 40 children in need will not be cold this winter.

This project was the result of a contest organized by various partners for Co-op and Small Business Week. Seniors in the community were invited to submit crafts for children to a contest in early October. Ten ladies contributed all the pieces, which were then displayed at the entrance of the Wellington Co-op during the week (Oct. 18-22).

Random draws were then held from the names of the contestants. One-hundred-year-old Denise Arsenault won the first prize, a $100 Co-op gift card, and Aline Richard received the second prize, a $50 gift basket. All other participants received gifts (books, CDs and wall plaques) from the Acadian and Francophone Chamber of Commerce of PEI.

On behalf of the partners, Raymond J. Arsenault, events coordinator of the Chamber, delivered the items to MacDonald. She was quick to thank the knitters and the contest organizers.