Thu Sep 02 2010
by Andree Niswander
Reporter
Hudson -- With the holiday season approaching, "Santa's helpers" at Laurel Lake Retirement Community are needleworking once again.
Residents are weaving winter caps to warm area children during the community's annual "Caps for Kids" hat drive, started 18 years ago by resident Margaret DeWitt.
Every year, knitters decorate the Laurel Lake Christmas tree with more than 300 handcrafted winter hats that eventually are delivered to Summit County Children's Services, according to Claire T. Truesdale, Laurel Lake resident and volunteer committee chair.
With so many hats donated, the nine-foot tree typically gets covered, and leftover hats then become dining room window garland, said Truesdale.
A Laurel Lake resident for four years, Truesdale originally learned to knit during World War II and was permitted to knit socks for soldiers during school classes.
Continuing her charitable crafts, the Laurel Lake resident passes on her knitting know-how through lessons with others interested in contributing to the annual Christmas hat drive, according to Laurel Lake Wellness Manager Susan Busko.
Resident and staff needleworkers create the array of caps individually and in groups, but handcrafted winter hat donations also come from outside the community.
The mother of Laurel Lake's medical director sends knitted caps from her home outside Pittsburgh, said Truesdale.
"We never know how many [caps] are coming or where they're coming from," she said. "Anybody can do this."
In addition to hats, some scarves and mittens also make it to the tree. All items created this year will be delivered Dec. 1, in time for Christmas and cold weather.
"We always send them early, so there's plenty of time for them to be distributed," said Truesdale.
With so much work to do, knitters wonder every year if they'll have enough yarn and needles to finish the task, she said.
And every Christmas, their needs are somehow met, she added.
"Suddenly there's a bag, and we have no idea who gave it to us ... It's just sort of there ... It's amazing," said Truesdale. "We've never been without."
With a newly remodeled woodworking shop, caps atop the Christmas tree this season will be joined by handmade wooden pull toys underneath.
Created by Laurel Lake residents Angelo DiMonte and Dick Hein, the hand painted wooden animals with moving string-powered limbs also will be donated to Summit County Children's Services.
This year, the "toy shop" started a little late, since woodworkers were busy finishing eight benches for residents at the Stephanie S. Keys Apartments in Stow.
Endeavoring to use the woodworking shop for meaningful projects, Hein said he and DiMonte decided to make toys, "because we thought we ought to add something else to the ... tree."
Thank you notes from the children each year are heartwarming, said Busko.
But residents don't work year-round on their gifts, to receive recognition, she added, "It's really a labor of love."
For more information, or to donate, call 330-650-0681.
E-mail: aniswander@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-686-3947
Comments
By Posting to this site, you agree to our Terms of Service Be polite.
Inappropriate posts may be removed.
Hudsonhubtimes.com doesn't necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post.
Login above or Register to comment.
0 Total Comments Home | Back
Copyright Record Publishing Co, LLC. 1995-2010. All Rights Reserved.
Content may not be republished without the expressed written consent of the publisher.
Content may not be republished without the expressed written consent of the publisher.
Dix Communications