Few things in life are as comforting to Canadians as a well-knit toque on a cold winter's day.
Somehow, the toque's all the warmer when made with care by a sweet elderly lady. That's where Maxine Kent comes in.
For more than 10 years, Kent has been warming the heads and hearts of the homeless and impoverished with hundreds of toques she knits all year round.
In 2005 alone, the 70-year-old widow made 115 toques, most of which went to Vancouver's most destitute neighbourhood, the downtown eastside.
Kent is nonchalant about the countless hours she has dedicated to easing the discomfort of low-income British Columbians.
"You knit them, you turn them in about the end of November and the first of the year you start again," she said.
Kent began knitting toques as part of a First United Church charitable program that began 20 years ago.
Lou Rempel helps organize the knitting program for Squamish.
Rempel said approximately six knitters created 347 toques this year, which went to Vancouver and the local soup kitchen.
"Maxine does excellent work," said Rempel. "Her toques would keep anyone's head warm because they're knit so closely."
And although colour blind, Kent always produces beautiful work, said Rempel.
"She has to have people tell her what colour to use and put them in appropriate bags so she doesn't do too many red and green ones," said Rempel.
Kent said she wants to continue knitting the toques as long as she can, emulating another local knitter, Frances Marsh, who put away the needles only last year at the age of 90.
