FALMOUTH – A year’s worth of knitting by a small group of dedicated ladies produces dozens of colorful blankets, hats, scarves, and even tiny dresses for those in need.
The knitting group meets monthly at Michael’s craft shop in Falmouth to finish up items and sew knitted squares together to form blankets.
Rose McGillycuddy concentrates on knitting.
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On a day when the group was preparing to give the blankets to a local homeless shelter, one of ladies, Rose McGillycuddy, 98, barely paused from her knitting to answer a question about why she does it. With seven great grandchildren and another on the way, McGillycuddy said she lived for most of her life with her late husband in Yonkers, New York.
Her pale blue eyes teared up a bit when she explained. “I feel I have most everything I need. I feel rewarded by doing something for someone who needs it,” she said.
The items are donated to mothers and their children who are living at Carriage House, a homeless shelter in North Falmouth.
A knitters hands hard at work.
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Other ladies in the knitting group gathered on a recent day at the craft store were Helen Duarte and Charlene D’Errico. Both said they enjoyed the social aspect of the activity and they appreciated the opportunity to give back.
Lisa Marie Chinappi, enriched life director at Cape Cod Senior Residences, said members of the group live at the senior residences facility in Pocasset and work on the blankets there. They bring the knitting to Michael’s craft store to sew the pieces together to form blankets.
The participation of Michael’s is part of an effort called “Warm Up America!” a charitable program begun several years ago
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Wanda Blair, a certified yarn instructor at Michael’s, said in all, this year, there were 31 blankets plus hats, scarves and other items, all made over the preceding months.
Laurie Ronayne from Carriage House said the donation is much appreciated by the clients. “We get donations and they are made with love. It’s the best.”
To donate to Housing Assistance Corporation, which runs Angel House and four other shelters for homeless families on Cape Cod, click here.
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