12.02.2026 13:23
Hamide Kaldırım, a mother of six from Trabzon, warms the hearts of soldiers serving across Turkey by sending them thousands of booties she has knitted over the years. The meaningful support provided to ensure that soldiers on duty in harsh winter conditions do not feel cold has not gone unrecognized, and Kaldırım was awarded a plaque of appreciation by the Turkish Armed Forces.
Hamide Kaldırım, a mother of six living in the district of Of with her son Mahmut Kaldırım, began to have difficulty walking after suffering from an illness. Spending most of her time at home, Kaldırım was moved to knit booties for Mehmetçik when she saw soldiers on duty in winter conditions while watching television. Her son Mahmut Kaldırım started to realize his mother's wish by reaching out to military units in different provinces of Turkey, and later to orphanages and students to send the booties.
MEANINGFUL SUPPORT DID NOT GO UNNOTICED
Despite her walking difficulties and advancing age, Hamide Kaldırım, who has knitted over a thousand socks and booties for soldiers and children over the past six years, received appreciation from many institutions for the gifts she sent. The meaningful support given to ensure that soldiers on duty in harsh winter conditions do not feel cold did not go unnoticed, and the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) presented Kaldırım with a plaque of thanks. Kaldırım also received various gifts and plaques from the Ardahan Gendarmerie Public Order Commando Battalion, Hakkari 2nd Border Brigade Command, and the Diyarbakır Governorship.
EMOTIONAL NOTE FROM SOLDIERS
Soldiers, who took photos holding the booties sent under the Turkish flag in the regions where they serve, also delivered these pictures to Kaldırım. In the emotional note from the soldiers, it was stated, "Our mother Hamide. While working under the shadow of our star and crescent flag in the remote corner of our homeland, this thoughtful gift from you has fueled the love for our country in our hearts. No matter how much we thank you for this gift, it is not enough. We express our gratitude and thanks on behalf of our battalion."
"OUR SOLDIERS STRUGGLE FOR US UNDER THE SNOW"
Hamide Kaldırım expressed that she decided to knit booties because she felt sad for the soldiers on duty in the snow, saying, "I started knitting when I was around 16 years old. I had children, and after they grew up, I continued to knit. I knit one pair of booties every three days. I knit and give them to my son. He looks and researches; based on that, he sends the booties. The ones I knit for soldiers are separate, and the ones I knit for children are separate. I also knit small booties for the children in the Quran course. Knitting and sending booties to children and soldiers makes me happy; they wear them and keep warm. I think about the soldiers and feel sad. The soldiers are struggling for us in the snow," she said.
"I WISH I COULD MAKE AND SEND MORE"
Kaldırım stated that she will continue to knit and send booties as long as her health allows, saying, "They sent a plaque, and I was very moved. I felt sad thinking, 'They have spent money'; they have suffered, they have worked hard, may they be blessed. If I don't get sick and feel good, I will continue to knit. We will knit and send. I follow the cold places. I want to send them to soldiers and children. If I had a lot of money, I wish I could send more and help. May God protect them, watch over them, and make it easy for them. May nothing happen to them. Their mothers are waiting for them; they are struggling for us. May no stones touch their feet. The snow comes up to their waists, and they stand in the mountains. I feel sad. May God grant them all long lives," she said.
"SEEING SOLDIERS UNDER THE SNOW AFFECTED MY MOTHER"
Mahmut Kaldırım, who thanked everyone who wished well for his mother, said, "I research and send what I can find to the places I can reach where my mother has knitted. Seeing the soldiers under the snow on television affected my mother. She dedicated herself to this path with the thought that by knitting and sending socks, we could meet their needs to some extent. I send them to cold places, soldiers, orphanages, and units in the police. We did this without any expectation. For the last six years, she has focused more on knitting. She has knitted over a thousand booties, socks, and scarves. I also buy the necessary materials and give them to her. They sent a plaque, may they be blessed," he said.