From Clacking Needles Spring Good Deeds

There’s plenty of laughter and chatter to be found at the Wednesday Knitting Circle gatherings at the Swampscott Senior Center as the members find great comfort and camaraderie in their gatherings.  But what might not be apparent to the casual observer is the abundance of good works being created along the way.

You see, while these folks with a passion for knitting will never abandon their love of creating gifts for family and friends, they also embrace the opportunity to help those in need.  Most recently, Sally Hanley, a Wednesday regular, asked the group if they would be interested in knitting items for the men and women served by the New England Center for Homeless Veterans.  The group responded enthusiastically, donating over 300 (!) scarves.  Stephen Cunniff and CJ Beck from the NECHV happily filled their van with 14 cartons of beautifully knit scarves, hats and mittens to take back to the center.  There, the creations will be packaged by volunteers and presented to residents during the holidays.

In addition, Sheila Leahy (who is also very active at the SSC) approached the group about knitting headbands for an upcoming Newburyport Special Olympics event.  Marty Leahy of Newburyport, one of Sheila’s sons, volunteers with the group and reached out to his Mom for support.  Again, the group responded with enthusiasm. 35 headbands for participants in the NSO were recently collected from the knitters and will be presented to participants in the soccer tournament where they will, no doubt, be worn with pride.  The maroon and gold headbands are the same as those for the Newburyport Sports Team; selected to help the NSO participants feel an important part of the local community.

Plus, the group continues to donate blankets, sweaters, caps, etc. throughout the year for boys and girls either undergoing treatment and/or recovering from surgery at Boston’s Children’s Hospital.  Joe Paluzzi, another SSC regular, delivers these baskets of goodies to his contacts at the hospital through the Spirit of State Street Alumni Volunteer Program where he is also active.  The baskets are always warmly welcomed by the hospital staff and much appreciated by their patients.

So, while the age-old art of knitting can be incredibly therapeutic for the knitter, there are also many others who benefit from the end results of those efforts.