Community Corner

109 Blankets On Their Way To Comfort Others As Part of "Days Of Caring" Week

Barbara DeRosa, volunteer extraordinaire, and her gang of knitters are donating comfort in the form of hand-knitted Afghan blankets.

By Kathy DeBurra 

In 1999 one of our members of the Women's Club of Madison suggested forming a knitting group in order to make Afghan blankets for people in need of warmth and comfort. Members were asked to knit or crochet rectangles with left over yarn. They did and completed one beautiful Afghan and donated it to a local nursing home.

The following year the State Organization [GFWC] dedicated their two year Community Service Project to the Village of Families and Children in Hartford, CT. This organization has been around since 1809 advocating Stronger Families & Children. It was originally an orphanage and has evolved with the times and offers many services to families and children. They have emergency housing and some resident children under treatment. Their goal is to build a community of strong families who protect and nurture children.

Upon learning about the wonderful work they do with families and children our members decided to make and donate afghans for the children and have been doing so ever since. The first year five Afghans were donated along with backpacks with school supplies, teddy bears and toiletries.

The staff at the Village was so delighted and appreciative of the gifts it was heartwarming. They gave our members a tour of the Village and explained all the programs that they have available for troubled families and children.

That was it! They won us over and at our next meeting we all agreed that we would continue to provide for them so each child could receive their very own afghan to take with them when they leave. Our knitting group has expanded over the years, we have started groups in three assisted living residence, The Hearth at Tuxis Pond in Madison, Evergreen Woods in Branford and The Gables in Guilford.

Every year the number of Afghans has increased and this year we have completed 109 Afghans (breaking 100 this year!), plus numerous back packs, school supplies, hats scarves and stuffed animals.

79 have been donated to the Village and 30 will be donated to the Madison Police Department Wednesday to honor the “Days of Caring Week” for the police department to use in an accident, fire or emergency.

There is one member who has spearheaded this project, works at it continuously and just loves what she is doing, she is so happy when she sees the completed Afghans and is so appreciative of all her knitters. Our club is indeed lucky to have her as a member. Barbara DeRosa is that member and her dedication to this project is outstanding!


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