A group of women at Chinook Village are creating cozy blankets, scarves and toques that will be donated to The Champion's Centre. At work on a blanket are, from left, Shirley Stevenson, Ethel Barnstable, Irene Mertin, recreation therapist Melissa Schlenker and Mae Mamona.--NEWS PHOTO GILLIAN SLADE
gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade
A group of creative women at Chinook Village are putting the finishing touches to blankets, scarfs and toques they plan to donate to The Champion Centre.
They started on the project in September in anticipation of the needs of people as winter approached, said Melissa Schlenker, recreation therapist at Chinook Village. They chose The Champion Centre because they felt it is sometimes the “forgotten” group.
“It’s nice to do a service project. Everyone wants to have a purpose,” said Schlenker of the group that meets every other Tuesday.
The blankets are made of double layers of fleece. There is no sewing required as a fringe around the perimeter holds the layers together.
“It’s the socializing, it’s relaxing, something to do and it is nice to work with the ladies doing something for those less fortunate,” said Schlenker.
Shirley Stevenson was working on the fringe of a blanket on Tuesday morning. She used to make all of her children’s clothes and currently teaches knitting at Medicine Hat College.
“You feel as though even though you’re in a seniors home you still have something to contribute,” said Stevenson.
Ethel Barnstable is also a keen knitter but was cutting the strips for the fringe on the blanket on Tuesday.
“It’s a fun thing to do with the ladies,” said Barnstable of the creative pursuit that she says is part of the motivation. “I really enjoy this because we are doing this for a good cause.”
Irene Mertin has two new great-grand-daughters that were born in August and she has been busy making items for them. It has not kept her from helping on this project though. She also knits prayer shawls for the church.
Adjusting a pair of scissors in her hand as she cut the fringe strips, Mae Mamona said she also does a lot of knitting. She loves knitting dolls and is hoping to find a home for some she has already finished.
Schlenker says Mamona is too modest in talking about her creative talents.
The group plans to deliver the items they’ve made to The Champion Centre well before Christmas so that the items can be given to those who need them.
