Paris Fairy Godmothers stitch together nearly 40 years of giving

Pictured in a 2019 newspaper article: A group of volunteer knitters and crocheters meet monthly at the Mary Maxim store in Paris displaying articles that will be donated at Christmas. Shown above are some of the knitters — back row, from left, Sue McAuley, Kathy Haggert, Connie Boone, Liz Vego, Gavin Brewer, Sandra Guille, and Pat Brown. Front row, from left, Gigi Walker, Lynda Faladown, Louise Howells, and Susan Taylor.

Emma Bowman

Paris Independent Contributor

As a group founded in 1986, the Paris Fairy Godmothers have been a quiet but powerful force, providing schools, nursing homes and organizations such as the Children’s Aid Society, Pregnancy Centres, Why Not Youth Centre and Friendship House Brantford with warmth and care.

The group of 22 godmothers — and a few godfathers — meet once a month at Mary Maxim to show and tell their “Hot Off the Needles” creations, which range from Afghan blankets, sweaters and baby boots to hats and mitts, doll clothing, socks and shoulder shrugs for seniors’ homes.

Gathering their balls of yarn for many rounds of knitting, they work hard each year to donate approximately 2,000 items to these establishments. This year alone, their donations included five bags of finished products for the Paris Christmas Baskets program.

The group reaches out to communities across the County of Brant and beyond. This year’s donations included schools in Paris, Brantford, Cambridge and Delhi, as well as nursing homes such as St. Joseph’s Lifecare, Delhi Nursing Home and Telfer Place. In the past, the Godmothers have also donated to hospitals in cities such as London and Hamilton.

In 2000, the group extended their compassion as far as Iqaluit, Nunavut, donating numerous handmade goods to a boarding home in the Baffin Island region.

Rhonda Garnier, a retired principal with the Grand Erie District School Board, shared that “mitts are one of the most needed articles of clothing in the winter months for schools.” Because of the cold temperatures and wet snow, she added, “kids always need hats and mitts.” Louise Howell, one of the Fairy Godmothers, agrees. When dropping off donations to an elementary school in October, she noted how students were already wearing mittens due to the chilling weather

Like most Fairy Godmothers, they act as helpers and guardians, providing comfort for the greater good. 

Working with yarn and needles generously donated to the group, Pat Brown, one of the organizers and a Fairy Godmother, says, “donations are always gratefully received.”

Mary Maxim alone donated multiple containers and bags of yarn — received with great joy — providing the knitters with valuable materials for larger projects. Many items, such as toddler sweaters, require at least three or four balls of yarn to complete.

Many of these patterns are skillfully remembered by heart and include fun designs and colours for their wearers.

The group not only brings warmth to the community, but has also created a bond of its own. For nearly 40 years, members have bonded over knitting and their shared desire to help others.

For their hard work and dedication to our communities, the Fairy Godmothers deserve heartfelt thanks for the warmth and care they provide. They now look forward to celebrating their 40th anniversary together.