St. Luke's Made With Kindness Knitting Project

What can result from a passing conversation and one Facebook post? More than 50 handmade scarves and hats for the homeless and a growing community-wide service project.

Director of Studies Jim Yavenditti was talking with New Canaan resident and Director of Development Ninette Enrique about her new knitting hobby and suggested with all the knitters and crocheters in the school community, they could make scarves and hats for the Midnight Run (an annual senior service project of delivering clothes and food to the homeless).

With one post on her Facebook page and word of mouth, Enrique gathered more than twenty people to contribute their skills and yarn. Within just a month, the new Stitch Brigade was knitting up a storm making dozens of handmade items to donate.

Camille DeMarco Havens, the coordinator of St. Luke’s Midnight Run, said, “What a thoughtful and personal way for our community to help another community. It will be a wonderful addition to our Midnight Run when we hand out these homemade scarves and hats.”

The knitters and crocheters are a mix of St. Luke’s faculty, staff, parents, parents of alumni, students and friends. MS Science Chair Susan Bralower asked her student advisory if they wanted to help out. They answered with a resounding “Yes!” She bought yarn and needles, taught several to knit, and off they went. Students from her advisory and beyond started coming in during free periods and picked up a started scarf to knit a row or two. Between the enthusiasm of the students and the known benefits of knitting and crocheting, Susan Bralower and Latin teacher Leo Mahler plan to start an after school yarn club.

Enrique reflected, “I am grateful that people in the St. Luke’s community are willing to use their many talents in our community to ‘go forth to serve.’ All these scarves and hats are of the St. Luke’s brand: Made with Kindness.” Enrique added, “I hope this project becomes an annual tradition.”

*****

St. Luke's Class of 2017 Midnight Run “Made with Kindness” Project:

Stitch Brigade

Jim Yavenditti (idea person), Ninette Enrique (organizer), Susan Bralower, Linda Lamman Burgard, Geri Clark, Yoli Finley, Julia Gabriele, Karin Howells, Rica Johnson, Leo Mahler, Elizabeth Nelson, Felicia Soltys, Daphne Teittinen-Schreck, Tiffany Van Elslander, Haley Wulfman

Student Knitters
Hanaa Ahmar ’21, Nicole Ayoub ’21, Ellie Bailey ’21, Marie Berliet ’21, Abby Johnson ’21, Laine Partington ’21, Samantha Schwartz ’21, Sarina Shah ’21, Jenna Volpitta ’21, Ryan Weil ’21

St. Luke’s Midnight Run Committee
Camille DeMarco-Havens (Staff Coordinator), Melissa Gallaher-Smith (Parent Co-Chair), Jill Jones (Parent Co-Chair), Diane McEnroe (Parent Co-Chair), Ryan Murphy ’17 and Mary Zech ’17 (Student Co-Chairs)

St. Luke’s is a secular private school in New Canaan, CT for grades 5-12. St. Luke's mission is an exceptional education that inspires a deep love of learning, a strong moral compass, the commitment to serve, and the confidence to lead. St. Luke's Center for Leadership advances our mission by helping students develop exceptional leadership ability. A kind, inclusive community awaits you at St. Luke's.

Come Visit St. Luke’s!