Mariel Cole, a resident at The Springs at Whitefish, was prepared for Independence Day with her red, white and blue yarn. Cole is the leader of the Knit Wits, comprised of about six community residents. The group started as a prayer shawl ministry for community members, and today it meets weekly to knit or crochet small items to then sell.

“As items are completed, we have them blessed,” Cole said. “Everything is done with prayer because we care.”

Every cent of the proceeds goes toward Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) For Kids, a nonprofit that supports local children in the foster system. The group also created numerous cloth face coverings in the early months of the pandemic.

Check out the Knit Wits’ products at www.knitwitsII.com.