Caressant Care residents knit for children in developing countries
Community members learning of the cause and donating wool
Wednesday November 18, 2009 -- Camille Jensen
Residents at Caressant Care on Bonnie Place are knitting sweaters for children in developing countries.

Called Knit for Kids, the project began in the spring and was initiated by an activity aide, who, learning of the program’s mission to send homemade sweaters to children in need, brought the pattern into the home.

Vicki Snowsell, the home’s activity co-ordinator, says staff thought adopting the program would be a great way to get residents involved in a community project.

“We just thought it would be nice for us to give out of the home,” explains Snowsell, adding the residents are enjoying making the sweaters. “It just made them feel good.”

She says the home has completed its first load of ten sweaters, which are distributed by World Vision, and is starting on the next load.

The home currently only has two residents and a volunteer knitting but is hoping with the colder weather coming more will people come on board.

Resident Bettie Parker, 86, has made 14 sweaters in the period of five months, a feat she says is not only contributing to a good cause but also helping her grieve the death of her husband.

“For me it’s been very good therapy, I’ve been knitting every day,” says Parker. “I think it’s dreadful that there are children and adults too that don’t have the necessities of life.”

The home’s efforts have sparked the interest of the community newspaper the St. Thomas Times-Journal, which visited the home and featured the residents in an article.

As a result, the St. Thomas long-term care home is receiving community contributions, such as several large bags of wool, according to Snowsell.

“It’s got a few people in the community thinking about it and bringing donations in,” she says.

Parker adds the wool will not go to waste.

“I’ll do it as long as there is wool,” says Parker who is encouraging other residents to join the cause.

“The pattern is so easy and I enjoy knitting.”

The Knit for Kids program was initiated in 1996 by the non-profit magazine Guideposts after magazine editor Brigitte Weeks shared her story about the inspiration she found in knitting sweaters for refugee children.

This article went on to inspire a movement of 23,000 knitters and crocheters who have donated more than 500,000 sweaters to children as far away as Azerbaijan, Kenya and Thailand.

Due to the success of the program, Guideposts has transferred Knit for Kids to World Vision in order to see the program reach more children.

To learn more about Knit for Kids program click here.

If you have feedback on this article, please contact the newsroom at 800-294-0051.