Story 8

From coast to coast, meet Warm Up America! volunteers who are making a difference to people in need.

East Coast

• Concord, NH‹Super Bowl Afghan

For the third year in a row, members of the Wadsworth Knitting Guild, Concord, NH, had a different activity planned for Super Bowl Sunday--a Warm Up America! event. They invited neighbors to join them, bringing sections and joining them. This year they completed three afghans, two of which were donated to a local homeless outreach facility and a third that was sent to Council offices to donate to American Red Cross. This brings to 13 the number of Super Bowl afghans completed by the group. Thanks to Guild President Pam Richard for writing us about this special “sporting event.”

As part of Knit-Out festivities, a donation of 50 Warm Up America! afghans was made to the New York Chapter of the American Red Cross. Pictured are Warren Zorek (r.), Volunteer Chairman of Disaster Relief Services for the Red Cross, who accepted the afghans and thanked the volunteers, and Jan Kahn, the Council's Warm Up America! chairman.

• New York Knit-Out-Crochet Too Warms Up America!

In 1998, the Craft Yarn Council organized its first Knit-Out-Crochet Too in a New York City park. The purpose of the free afternoon event was to offer people an opportunity to learn how to knit and crochet, plus see fashion shows, technique demonstrations and lots of displays. People also were asked to bring Warm Up America! sections and join them. Hundreds stopped by the Warm Up America! tent during the Knit-Out-Crochet Too.

Jan Kahn, committee chair of the Warm Up America! program for the Craft Yarn Council, commented: “I was overwhelmed by the generosity of the people who joined us. There were lots of things to do and see at the Knit-Out-Crochet Too, but they sat for hours helping out. We completed dozens of afghans, which will be donated to families in need.”

• West Warren, MA

Three years ago, co-workers at Wrights, West Warren, MA, began a WUA! group. 3,500 squares and over 220 afghans later, they are still going strong. We hear through the Wrights' grapevine that Arlene Whigham has made the majority of squares for the past three years, and that kudos should also go to Rosie Rice, not only for her beautiful afghans but for taking over the distribution of afghans donated. Thanks to Marcia Dore, Calma Brown, Lynn Judd, Maureen Reardon, Betty Parker, Fran Johnson, Kitty Parker, Anne Boissy, Nicole Wheeler (and her mom), Marion Sablack, Patti Beauregard, Beverly Kargol, Marianne LeTourneau and to all the people who have contributed yarn. And who are those “Happy Seniors?” -

• Tewksbury, MA

The Craft Yarn Council extends a heart-felt thank you to volunteers at the First Baptist Church of Tewksbury, MA, who have continued their Warm Up America! project year after year. Helen M. Secretary dropped us a note recently with pictures of one of the group's afghans. This and other blankets completed by Helen and her friends were given to the House of Hope and Hart House in Tewksbury.

Members of Christ Church Cathedral presented the Blanusa family (l. to r.), Misha, Livia, Marina and Tanya, with a special welcome.

• Springfield, MA

Thanks to Eleanor A. Parke and Louise Hayden of Springfield, MA, for sending along the wonderful photo of the Blanusa family wrapped in a WUA! afghan. The Blanusas (Misha and Marina and their two daughters Livia and Tanya) came to Springfield, sponsored by the Episcopal Migration Ministry of Western Massachusetts and Christ Church Cathedral, then applied for and won refugee status.

Eleanor and Louise, members of Christ Church Cathedral, shared in their letter:

“...we had knitted a Warm Up America! afghan and were about to give it to our local Red Cross. The thought occurred to us to Œwarm-up the Blanusas when they moved into their own apartment!' The family remained cuddled up all winter and are so happy to be in America. And we are so happy to have them.”

These good neighbors have recruited more knitters and are continuing WUA! In Springfield.

• Hamden, CT

“Helping to make others comfortable” is what Lillian Holtman loves most about WUA! according to her friend and WUA! co-worker Janet Alpert. Since this Hamden, CT, duo started WUA! several years ago, together they have made over 15 afghans for the residents of the Harborside Healthcare Arden House, plus they volunteer there three days a week.

Anne Kalick and son Eric

Warm Up america! is a family affair for the Maio-Kalick family from Levittown, PA. In a letter that accompanied six beautiful afghans (three baby and three full size), Joan Maio said: “My daughter, Anne Kalick and my grandson, Eric Kalick, helped crochet these afghans. Eric (age 12, at the time of the photo) wanted to assist us so we showed him how to crochet.” Pictured are Anne and Eric Kalick.

• Northern New Jersey

Kosovo Albanian Refugees Receive WUA! Afghans‹Thanks to The Stitchers

The Stitchers, a small group of Northern New Jersey women who regularly meet to crochet and sometimes quilt, have been involved in crocheting Warm Up America! rectangles and joining them into afghans this past year. In addition to their members' crocheting efforts, WUA! was chosen as the Charity Project for the Year by the Hook Happy Crochet Club, an online Crochet Club that consists of about 42 members. These club members also sent sections to The Stitcher's to join.

Last year, 25 baby afghans and lap robes and 19 Caps for Kids were donated by the group to the Kosovo Albanian Emergency Operation. New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman made a special presentation at Fort Dix, NJ. Since February, 1998, group coordinator Wilda Lagrosa estimates they have donated 60 afghans and 30 Caps for Kids. The Stitcher's are part of Pascack Bible Church, Hillsdale, NJ.

 

Thanks to Rita F. Campbell from Bedford, MA, who sent us enough sections for two beautiful WUA! afghans. Rita, a Past President and District Director of the American Legion Auxiliary, had assistance from five Auxiliary volunteers.

• Cedar Grove, New Jersey “Hookers”

At the local swimming pool in Cedar Grove, NJ, they are known as the “hookers,” because they always have a crochet hook in their hands, according to Ceciel Dobson. Ceciel, along with friends, Cindy, Doris, Joyce and Ann, has been crocheting up a storm, completing more than 17 afghans since they started a year and one-half ago. They donated several to Project Peace, a home for unwed mothers, and to a local hospice. They also shipped several to Craft Yarn Council offices and to Hale House, a home for babies with AIDS in New York City. Their favorite pattern, which makes up quickly, is a variation of an Annie's Attic Loop-n-Lace, Mile-A-Minute afghan. They create rows of lacy crochet and then join them together. They find a good source of yarn is at garage sales and they even had a mention on their local television station, which resulted in numerous yarn donations.

Here's one note the New Jersey Hookers received from Project Peace:

I want to thank you so much for the joy and smile my client had when I gave her the blanket. Since she is a hospice patient she has had little comfort in life and it was so good to see that first smile. Thank you and the ladies ever so much. Sincerely, Rita Gwen

• Honeoye, NY

Kudos to the Eagle Star Chapter No. 350 of the Order of the Eastern Star for the beautiful Warm Up America! afghan they completed and donated recently in Honeoye, NY. Chapter members include Connie VanDerKamp, Katrina Nighan, Marge Schneider, Sherry Nighan, Ruth Horan, Ruth Roome, and Virginia Green. WUA! was their community project.

• Buffalo, NY‹Getting More Yarn is the Challenge!

It just takes one person to get a WUA! project underway, like Dorothy Esene in Buffalo, NY. After receiving a WUA! brochure last year, Dottie made up a flyer, had announcements in neighborhood newspapers and got the ball rolling. The Tuesday Arts & Crafts class at a local senior center got involved and made enough squares for three afghans and 4 lap robes. Another 91-year-old volunteer started making one-piece lap robes.

Dottie wrote us to say she has lots of volunteers and now is looking for more yarn. One effective way is to post a notice in your church or synagogue bulletin, local library, senior center, community center, local business offices, etc. It's amazing how many people have yarn “stashes” that are willing to donate yarn to WUA!

One of Dottie and her volunteers most recent projects was making baby afghans for a shelter for pregnant teens.

• Clifton, NJ

We were delighted to receive this note from Michele Cerisano of Clifton, NJ:

“Thank you for providing me with a reason to pick up my crochet hook and get back to crafting. Your brochure inspired me to get back to my childhood, spare-time activity and put my unused yarn to a good use. My family and friends noticed a “new and improved” outlook on my part as I began cranking-out blocks. I'm less stressed and personally rewarded because of the project. Thank you...keep on inspiring.”

Our thanks to Michele for reminding us once again why Warm Up America! is such a wonderful program for participants and recipients.

• Lakewood, NJ

Last year Carol Ann Marks, from Lakewood, NJ, president of Pine Needlers Chapter of CGOA (Crochet Guild of America), sent us a picture of herself, along with Warm Up America chairman Jane Cleamons, 1st Vice President and Chairman of Community Projects Mary Newman. She wrote: “The squares were provided by our guild members and were assembled by Jane and Mary. Jane and Mary also planned a fall workshop to share their joining techniques with other members.”

• Norristown, PA

“These blankets are more precious to us than gold.” Those were the words of the Salvation Army family shelter director in Norristown, PA, upon receiving the gift of 16 WUA! afghans from members and friends of the Norristown Presbyterian Church. Congratulations to WUA! volunteers: Lena Schuck, Molly Bracht, Alma Wells, Catherine Snovel, Jean Weber, Elizabeth Jorgenson, Helen Jorgenson, Edith Wrick, Jean Harris, Emily Hammers, and Judy Bogart for completing such beautiful blankets.

• Hatboro, PA

Lynn Miller and other members of the Lehman Memorial United Methodist Church located in Hatboro, PA, participate in an inter-generational work team that travels to Frakes, KY, to work at Henderson Settlement, an outreach ministry. At the settlement, they repair homes and add warmth and love to the inside of the homes by distributing Warm Up America! afghans.

• McKeesport, PA‹Young & Old Together

Lavon Halpern, McKeesport, PA, a WUA! enthusiast, had an idea that students at St. Angela Merici School in White Oak also would enjoy the program. She approached the principal, who thought it was a terrific idea. Lavon, along with a teacher and another retired volunteer, organized a WUA! Knitting Club. To their delight the club idea was a hit. Five boys and 9 girls, sixth through eighth graders, showed up and have been coming back every Wednesday afternoon. In a wonderful news article from the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, the boys and girls alike, said they find the club social and relaxing, and they are busy talking about where the afghan will be donated.

• Lewes, DE

Thanks to Grace Reeder Crum for letting us know about the Nimble Fingers Sewing Group of the Lewes (DE) Presbyterian Church. They started making Warm Up America! afghans six years ago with 8 women. Today they have 18 in their group and Warm Up America! is still going strong.

They have donated lap robes to the Lewes Convalescent Center and to the Harbor Healthcare Facility in Lewes. Grace wrote: “We love your newsletter. It is full of encouraging news and wonderful ideas. I hope we help in our small way to warm our senior citizens and may we all continue to Warm Up America!”

Ann Eberspacker from Cambridge, MD, donated this colorful Warm Up America! afghan to the Lutheran Mission Society and she recently wrote the Council to say “I felt so good doing this, knowing I was helping someone else...I'll keep on making them.”

• Jacksonville, FL & Philadelphia, PA

Thanks to Beatrice Murr from Jacksonville, FL, and Sister Ann Edward from the Mount Saint Joseph Convent in Philadelphia, PA, for letting us know how much they have enjoyed reading WUA! News.

Beatrice also wrote:

“...Making the squares for Warm Up America, I feel I'm in some way helping people. When I receive your newsletter and read all the stories, it helps to restore my faith in the human race...”

Sister Ann Edward wrote:

“At the Villa for infirm and elderly sisters, some members enjoyed the satisfaction of sharing in this charity and also were happy to make squares, small enough to be completed with comfort and ease. An added, pleasant surprise for the sisters was when they read (in WUA! News) that a receiving center for this North Carolina project is a shop, The Tangled Web, only a few blocks distant from the motherhouse.”

• Baltimore, MD

Constance A. Waugh from Baltimore, MD, read about WUA! in Crochet with Heart magazine and just started right in. She wrote: “What more wonderful way to share my love of knitting and crocheting, than with a gift of love for those who are in need. I hope to send you many more afghans in the future.” Constance sent us a box which included five full-size afghans, one child-size and one baby afghan.

• Aiken, SC

Thanks to Marie-Helene Smith, Life Enrichment Director at the Cumberland Village senior living community in Aiken, SC, we learned about Ellinor Reid and the work she has been doing for WUA! Cumberland residents meet every Thursday afternoon for about one hour and enjoy each other's company while helping their community.

• Columbia, SC

Congratulations to Mary Russ, Columbia, SC, who with a group of friends worked for months on WUA! The result: over 60 afghans and lap covers, which they delivered to a local nursing home at Christmastime. There was a party at the home to celebrate.

FLORIDA JOINERS!

• Delray Beach, FL

Doris H. Gibson, Delray Beach, FL, sent us a photo of her first WUA! afghan. At the time she wasn't sure where to donate it, but her beautiful afghan will keep someone warm and happy.

• Jacksonville, FL

An early supporter of Warm Up America!, Lois Hoeft, owner of A STITCH IN TIME in Jacksonville, FL, has been inspiring customers and friends to get involved in the program for years. At the end of last year, the number of afghans donated to shelters in Jacksonville as a result of Lois' support and enthusiasm was 122! Over 120 people contacted Lois after an article about her store appeared in the Times Union newspaper. On behalf of recipients, Linda Lanier, executive director or the Sulzbacher Center for the Homeless, said the afghans were “gorgeous” and comforting to the women and especially to the children, who like to have a special blanket.

• Pinellas Park, FL

When we were really swamped with too many squares and too few hands, Ellen Streich, Pinellas Park, FL, got the job done. She took bags of sections and joined them into 52 afghans for Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Mental Health Services, Inc. Ellen even took our “odd balls”‹sections we thought could never be joined‹and fashioned them into 19 afghans which she donated to the local animal shelter. And she's willing to keep joining.

The Volunteer Center at Yarnworks was busy organizing a WUA! donation. Pictured are (l. to r.): Vivian Wilkerson, Bonnie Roberts, Carolyn Boyle, June Curtis, Barbara Zory, owner of Yarnworks, and Carolyn Haag.

• Gainesville, FL

In Gainesville, FL, Barbara Zory, owner of YARNWORKS, has been organizing some joiners of her own. Every Monday there's a “sew-in” at the store. Volunteers join WUA! sections into afghans. Last year, Barbara and her volunteers completed 33 full-size afghans which they donated to the Sexual and Physical Abuse Resource Center and to the Volunteer Center of Alachua County. One Yarnworks customer, Carolyn Haag, also crochets dresses for donated dolls and, of course, each doll has her own afghan.

From coast to coast, meet Warm Up America! volunteers who are making a difference to people in need.

Central

• Delaware, OH

Diane Howes, former owner of Holy Cow! It's a yarn shop! in Delaware, OH, had an ambitious goal for her customers and friends, which was to make 100 afghans. Together they made the goal in 1998 and delivered the finished afghans to a local chapter of the American Red Cross. Diane now lives in St. Louis and is continuing WUA!

Amy Jones, owner of The Stitch Niche shop in Lexington, KY, has been sponsoring Warm Up America! since 1994. Pictured is the “Assembly Team” that made this year's Warm Up America! project the best ever.

• Lexington, KY‹The Stitch Niche Group Sets Record

The Stitch Niche, a full-service needlework shop located in Lexington, KY, just completed its fifth year of sponsoring Warm Up America! And 1998 was a banner year. According to owner Amy Jones, 346 afghans of varying sizes were completed and donated to agencies and facilities like the Salvation Army, VA hospital, nursing homes, churches, shelters and Habitat for Humanity Homes.

Amy has the help of three volunteers who serve as program coordinators and oversee the work. Since she started the Warm Up America! project, she estimates that over 250 people have volunteered, and of that group 150 are active “stitchers,” and they have completed an amazing 942 afghans.

Thanks to a core group of about 20, who she fondly refers to as the “Assembly Team,” that meets every Tuesday, the sections are assembled. “We feel a great sense of satisfaction in helping others,” says Amy, “and greatly enjoy the fellowship we share with each other. We feel proud to be part of such a worthwhile project, and applaud your efforts nationwide. Thank you, Evie Rosen, for such an inspired idea!”

• Beavercreek, OH

Pam Sowder, Coordinator of the Beavercreek Senior Adult Center, Beavercreek, OH, began a Warm Up America project group at the Center last March and has been adding members and working on afghans ever since. Last fall, the group gave 20 large(adult) and small (child size) afghans to the Greene County Domestic Violence Project in Xenia, Ohio. The local newspaper came out and took pictures of the afghans and of the group. The Domestic Violence Project will be using some of them at the shelter home and providing others to women and children who are ready to move from the shelter into their own homes.

There are WUA! friends around the country like Patricia Casey from Columbia, MO, who have introduced the program to many new people. Patricia learned about WUA! from a magazine article and started making sections with yarn she found when cleaning her aunt's house. Patricia involved over 70 members of the Prairie Grove Baptist Church. At last report, they had completed and donated 15 afghans.

• Carterville, IL

We were delighted to hear from Sharon Reed, Carterville, IL, who along with other members Williamson County Home & Community Education group, have been turning out lots of sections. At last report, they completed three large afghans and seven smaller afghans. The were “very welcome” at the Community Crisis Center.

• Ft. Wayne, IN

At the Bethel United Methodist Church. Ft., Wayne, IN, Marty Hord reports that 18 volunteers are involved in Warm Up America!‹Lois Baich, Shari Bill, Shirley Birch, Helen Farrell, Pat Jones, Bonnie Merriman, Arline Miller, Donna Moeller, Elizabeth Richards, Rose Sadler, Sue Sarazen, Gloria Shady, Miriam Spice, Berneice Taner, Kathy Thompson, Ann Voght, and Linda Wheaton. So far, they have donated four afghans to Charis House, a women's shelter, each with a personal card attached saying: “Made with love by the women at Bethel United Methodist Church.”

 

Glenwood Home Extension Club members (l. to r.) are: Violet Weaver, Priscilla Owens, Mary Crandall, and Roberta Constantino hold several of the beautiful WUA! afghans completed by club members.

• Glenwood, AR

We were delighted to receive a letter from Madge L. Bledsoe from Glenwood, AR, recently about her local Extension Homemakers Club's Warm Up America! project. Madge wrote:

“ We started with Warm Up America! in 1995. I thought our local Extension Homemakers Club would be interested. Little did I realize how interested we would become. It is now a county-wide project.

Those who don't crochet or knit have donated many, many skeins of yarn. We donate to families that have had their homes burned, plus the Salvation Army Battered Women Crisis House, also to several tornado victims when a bad storm came through Arkadelphia, AR, in March of 1997.

We are thankful for this project, and are willing to help out in times of need. Please keep the newsletters coming. ”

• Mercedes, TX

We are always happy to see a familiar name when we receive letters at the Craft Yarn Council offices like one we received recently from Lee Mathews, Mercedes, TX. This is Lee's third year as a contributor to Warm Up America! Her first year, she sent nine afghans; the second, she sent 12 to us and donated seven locally. Last year, she and her friends finished and donated 45 Warm Up America! afghans locally. Not only has she been instrumental in organizing WUA!, she distributed dozens of program brochures, interesting many other people in starting WUA! groups.

From coast to coast, meet Warm Up America! volunteers who are making a difference to people in need.

West Coast

Members of the Relief Society of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Bremerton, WA, are (l. to r.): Maxine Funk, Maria Fry and Leona Kuth.

• Bremerton, WA

Forty-five volunteers from the Relief Society Organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Bremerton, WA, completed 20 WUA! afghans, spending more than 100 hours on the project. Thanks to LaDawn Smith, Society President, for sharing photos of the afghans and volunteers.

 

Speedy crocheter Opal Peterson surrounded by her WUA! afghans.

• West Valley City, UT‹Watch that yarn stash disappear!

Opal Peterson, West Valley City, UT, may have set a record‹a speed record. Starting just before Thanksgiving she wrote:

“I started using my supply of yarn to make squares...My goal was to use every scrap of yarn I had plus some from family.” By February 14th, Opal had completed seven adult-size afghans, five children's and 4 baby's. She admits she's a fast crocheter and we agree‹and they look beautiful, too. What a wonderful gift from the heart.

 

Another wonderful afghan received in Council offices was crocheted by women who attend the Columbia River Mental Health Services Adult and Children Daycare Center in Vancouver, WA. Volunteer Mary Ann Fitzgibbon was able to capture several of the contributors for this photo. Thanks to (l. to r.) Helen, Nellie, Rita, Mae (standing, a volunteer), Sumi, Mary Ann (volunteer), Pat and Cheryl. Mary Ann shared: “Many of the ladies had not crocheted for years but remembered how from their younger days; others were in the learning stage. They enjoyed sitting and chatting about days gone by while they crocheted and are now eagerly working on another afghan. They are a great group to work with and we have enjoyed helping them to recapture their skills...”

• East San Gabriel Valley, CA‹Citrus Valley Health Partners ŒLiving the Mission' Share Their Approach

Citrus Valley Health Partners (CVHP), East San Gabriel Valley, CA, which includes Citrus Valley Medical Center, Foothill Presbyterian Hospital and Citrus Valley Hospice, have been long-time Warm Up America! supporters. Carol Reaver recently sent us this photo of the labor and delivery staff members who joined together with other volunteers last year to make 24 magnificent afghans.

Among the Citrus Valley's WUA! volunteers are the labor and delivery staff (l. to r.): Christine McFarland, Maria Lai, Ana Chang, Lynn Shin and Aleta McFarland. Doris Wilkinson is seated.

CVHP volunteers also coordinate a collection box at their local Wal-Mart store, a sponsor of Warm Up America! Afghans have been donated to Wings, McKinley Children's Center, Colby Home, Faith Community Church and House of Ruth. Over 50 Citrus Valley staff members joined with hundreds of employees, their families and friends. They have been so successful because they were organized. If you are in a large office or medical facility such as Citrus Valley, take some hints from Carol Reaver.

How Citrus Valley actively promoted WUA!

• Made presentations to the Auxiliaries (volunteers).

• Publicized activities via corporate e-mail, corporate publications and with flyers and posters.

• Added program to the corporate web site.

• Distributed flyers at a community Health Fair.

• Sent press releases to local newspapers.

• Took photos of afghans as they were completed to share with those interested in our program.

Then teams of volunteers were designated to follow-up on every aspect of the program. Team One oversaw publicizing the program and handling inquiries. Team Two secured donations of yarn and needles and wrote thank-you notes. Team Three was in charge of Craft and Education, joining sections and also helping teach people to knit, crochet and join. Team Four was in charge of Community Outreach and identifying afghan recipients and setting up sites with collection boxes. Finally, Team Five was in charge of Fund Raising and Appreciation Awards.

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