Feels like mid-30s in parts of Canada, while other areas expecting snow
Anything is possible this week, as far as Canada's weather is concerned, with forecasts ranging from scorching heat in some parts of the country to rain and snow in others.
In a small church about an hour away from Ottawa, a community of knitters is working to keep the memory of one Canadian war veteran alive.
Sitting at a table covered in colourful balls of yarn, Shirley O'Connell picks up her needles and begins work on the feet of another Izzy doll. Since 2005, the Perth, Ont. resident has made thousands of the tiny dolls named after Master Cpl. Mark Isfeld.
For O'Connell, the knitting is a community-building hobby that also helps fulfill a meaningful pledge she made to Isfeld's mom, Carol, in 2007.
"The night before Carol passed away she had her husband, Brian, contact me to see if I would continue the legacy that she had started in Mark's memory," O'Connell said. "It was important for her to know something so precious to her and her son would continue on, and so I made a promise I would."
Master Cpl. Mark (Izzy) Isfeld served with the 1st Combat Engineering Regiment when he was deployed to Croatia as part of a UN Peacekeeping mission. During his deployment, Isfeld saw many children with no personal belongings, no toys and no home. So, after seeing a doll in the rubble, he asked his mom to make a small toy that he could carry with him and give to the children he bumped into.
"It was something — as a Canadian — she could do, but it brought peace to Mark to be able to give these dolls to the children," O'Connell said. "He became known as the soldier who collected little hearts and handshakes and little smiles."
It is estimated that about two million dolls have been hand-stitched and distributed to kids around the world. Last month, roughly 60 dolls were given to the United Nations Association in Canada who will be taking the dolls to children in Ukraine. (Annie Bergeron-Oliver/CTV News)
On June 21, 1994, at the age of 31, Isfeld was killed in a landmine explosion while serving his country. After his death, his unit asked Isfeld's mom to make more of the dolls so they could distribute them in his honour. The unit named the tiny toys Izzy.
"Everyone was aware of Mark's compassion and how he expressed it," said Rev. Dr. Peter Bartlett, who was Isfeld's officer commanding at the time of his death.
Nearly 30 years later, it is estimated that about two million dolls have been hand-stitched and distributed to kids around the world. Last month, roughly 60 dolls were given to the United Nations Association in Canada who will be taking the dolls to children in Ukraine.
"It is just amazing and speaks so clearly to Mark's heart and his compassion and his sense of service," said Bartlett.
To this day, each doll comes with a tag that says: “IZZY DOLL Made for you with love in memory of Mark Isfeld killed in Kakma, Croatia, June 21st 1994, while removing landmines serving with One Combat Engineer Regiment, United Nations Protection Force."
Izzy doll patterns are available online for free online and the dolls cannot be sold or purchased.
Rideau Park United Church in Ottawa, Compassionate Resources Warehouse in Victoria and Health Partners International in Toronto are among the locations accepting donations of Izzy dolls.
"There is such a need. It never dies out. There is always an interest," O'Connell said. "It's a way of Canadians sending a little love and a little hug to children around the world."
This year, Isfeld's story is being highlighted as part of the Legion's Poppy Stories Initiative that allows people to connect virtually to Canadian veterans when their poppy is scanned on a mobile device.
Anything is possible this week, as far as Canada's weather is concerned, with forecasts ranging from scorching heat in some parts of the country to rain and snow in others.
Canada's annual inflation rate slowed to a three-year low of 2.7 per cent in April, matching expectations, and core measures continued to ease, data showed on Tuesday, likely boosting chances of a June interest rate cut.
One person has died aboard a London-Singapore flight that encountered severe turbulence, Singapore Airlines said Tuesday. The plane was diverted to Bangkok, where emergency crews rushed to help injured passengers amid stormy weather.
As the month-long boycott of Loblaw-owned stores wears on, small independent food retailers and alternative grocery options say they're seeing a boost in traffic and sales.
If you've been to a party lately and haven't seen someone drinking a BORG, you're likely not partying with college students.
As we enter another wildfire season, Environment and Climate Change Canada is advising people to pay attention to air pollution levels and check the Air Quality Health Index – especially on smoky days.
The Vatican has announced that the investigation it commissioned into allegations of sexual touching against Cardinal Gerald Cyprien Lacroix did not confirm any act constituting misconduct or abuse on the part of the Vatican.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is in Philadelphia today, on his first trip south of the border since his government launched a new 'Team Canada' charm offensive in the United States.
The Edmonton Oilers weathered a late Vancouver Canucks charge on Monday night, beating the hosts 3-2 to win their seven-game second-round playoff series in the decisive showdown.
A sanctuary dedicated to animals with disabilities is celebrating the third birthday of one of its most popular residents.
Catching 'em all with impressive speed, a 7-year-old boy from Windsor, Ont. who only started his competitive Pokémon journey seven months ago has already levelled up to compete at a world championship level.
2b Theatre recently moved into the old Video Difference building, seeking to transform it into an artistic hub, meeting space, and temporary housing unit for visiting performers in Halifax.
A B.C. woman says her service dog pulled her from a lake moments before she had a seizure, saving her life.
A Starbucks fan — whose name is Winter — is visiting Canada on a purposeful journey that began with a random idea at one of the coffee chain's stores in Texas.
Members of Piapot First Nation, students from the University of Winnipeg and various other professionals are learning new techniques that will hopefully be used for ground searches of potential unmarked grave sites in the future.
ALS patient Mathew Brown said he’s hopeful for future ALS patients after news this week of research at Western University of a potential cure for ALS.
When Adam Kirschner wrote 'Slap Shot,' he never imagined the song would be embraced by his favourite team.
A team is ready to help an entangled North Atlantic right whale in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.