Poverty stretches beyond most of our imaginations. Often times there are newborns who do not have anything to go home in. Thanks to the Crafty Ladies of Mission Viejo, many babies are given handmade blankets, hats, mittens and booties.
In addition, to making baby items throughout the year, Crafty Ladies knit or crochet all different sizes of hats, sweaters, scarves and blankets from small to large that are donated to the Marine/Sailors Adoption Committee, Veterans Hospital through the Elks, Operation Baby Love-Assistance League and Child Abuse Prevention Center.
"When people are facing difficult situations, something as simple as a hat or blanket to keep them warm can bring joy to their lives," Nancy Jumper, Assistance League said.
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The Crafty ladies are united by a sense of pride in giving back, their love for knitting, sharing stories and their laughter. Together they have spent more than 30,000 in the past year accumulatively on all the items they have made.
Once a year, the Assistance League holds an Appreciation baby shower where tables are filled with many blankets and lots of other items that are evidence of the women's love for knitting and crocheting.
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“It’s a treasure what you ladies do,” Tony Roberts, Child Abuse Prevention Center boasted. “We serve 1,200 families in Orange County. Parents have a history of abuse in their background. When there isn’t money to buy their kids clothes, the stress and opportunity to abuse rises. With a blanket and an act of kindness, the stress goes down.”
Several of the Crafty Ladies were recognized for coordinating the donations with various organizations- Polly Patterson, Marlene Kazen, Barbara Harris, Josette Uphoff, Gay Ramella and Jan Carbone.
If you or someone close to you wants to learn to knit, crochet or just socialize with other yarn lover’s, check out Crafty Ladies at Norman P. Murray Community Center any Wednesday at 9:30 am.
Donations of new yarn and other supplies are needed. Your donated items may be dropped off at the NPM Community Center or call for pickup at 949/470-3062.
