Saturday Crafters, the Bernardsville Public Library crafting group, completed yet another charity project, this one benefiting premature infants at Overlook Hospital in Summit, New Jersey. As you can see, the project certainly brought out the creative talents of everyone involved! Each of the baby blankets was a unique creation demonstrating a joyful choice of color, pattern, and technique. Not only will the blankets brighten up the neonatal ward at Overlook, but once the infants are released from the hospital, these blankets will go home with each child as a special gift.
Group leader Evelyn Fischel, a staff member at the library, first contacted several area hospitals to inquire about their interest in receiving handmade blankets for preemies, and Overlook Hospital responded enthusiastically. Members of the group who wanted to volunteer for this project then worked at home as well as at the monthly Saturday Crafters meetings to complete more than 40 blankets and hats for the infants. Using donated supplies and yarns they purchased themselves, the members hand knit or crocheted the blankets and hats over a period of six months.
Evelyn delivered the finished items to Overlook Hospital just before Christmas and was deeply gratified by the appreciation of the staff and nurses who received them. A thank you letter sent to her will be shared with the group at the next meeting of Saturday Crafters, scheduled for Feb. 15th at 3 p.m. in the library. In addition to the baby blankets, Saturday Crafters participants have donated handmade items to the Community Soup Kitchen of Morristown, to the Dulaan Project in Mongolia, and to the annual Teddy Bear project at the library. Monthly Saturday Crafters meetings are open to individuals who enjoy working on their own projects in a pleasant, communal setting, and new members are always welcome to attend.
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