Knitting group’s handiwork set to ease the burden for many this Christmas
The knitting group at Cosmos Old Age Home, in Van Dyk Park, handed over some of their handiwork to the maternity ward at Tambo Memorial Hospital on December 14, and lots of other items to various organisations for distribution to charitable causes.
It was reportedly a highly emotional visit to the maternity ward as many of the moms cried with joy when they received their hamper.
The Advertiser is aware that very often moms leave the hospital with their babies wrapped in newspaper and with nothing for their newborn.
Cosmos resident Yvonne Pohl started the knitting group four years ago and in June, this year, decided they should knit for a good cause.
The results of their efforts over the six months astounded the management, staff and residents of Cosmos.
“It really is incredible what the group has achieved. We are beaming with pride,” said Susan Cilliers, executive director of Cosmos.
There are 20 members who contributed to the array of knitted and crocheted items which went to needy children and cancer patients – amazingly, two of the knitting group members are 92 years old and one is a male resident, Jean Betbeder, who contributed many of the perfectly-crafted blankets and other knitted and crocheted items.
Fifty-two hampers for premature and other newborn babies were donated to Tambo Memorial while the Cancer Association of South Africa took collection of bed socks, blankets, teddy bears and beanies.
A variety of beautiful beanies was also handed over to the motorcycle club Dead Men Riding for distribution to residents of informal settlements.
Window of Hope, an organisation which takes in abandoned babies, was given a donation of formula and baby clothing and blankets.
The hampers for premature babies, put together in a handmade nappy bag, each consisted of a facecloth, soap, a baby blanket, two Mother Teresa vests, beanies and booties, aqueous cream, baby powder and a teddy bear.
The newborns got the nappy bag filled with a baby blanket, two baby outfits with beanies and booties, a facecloth and soap, Vaseline, baby powder, five disposable nappies and a teddy bear.
“I am very proud of what we have achieved. We pray these items will indeed reach those who need them most and make a difference in their lives,” Yvonne said.
This project will continue next year and the knitting group is always in need of wool donations.
If you can help, contact Susan Cilliers at Cosmos Old Age Home on 011 915 5416/9.
