Seven residents at River Ridge Seniors Village present other residents in long-term care with 22 colourful blankets and some shawls that they knitted during the COVID-19 lockdown.--NEWS PHOTO GILLIAN SLADE
gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade
Many seniors in long-term-care at River Ridge Seniors Village received blankets on Friday that were knitted by some of the residents.
When Molly Webster had previously noticed the comfort that a small blanket could bring someone in long-term-care, she was determined to ensure everyone that needed one would get one.
Webster, a resident at River Ridge, says when the COVID-19 lockdown started she wondered how they would pass the time in their own rooms feeling isolated with nothing to do.
She knew there was an abundance of donated knitting yarn at River Ridge and came up with the idea of asking residents who like knitting to work on little squares that would then be joined together to make blankets.
“It was a brilliant idea. It was so relaxing (to knit), it was great,” said Louise Wentzell, an enthusiastic participant.
“The whole idea was you had something to do,” said Webster.
On Friday morning they were able to deliver 22 blankets and three shawls to residents who needed them.
One of the recipients kept feeling the texture.
“Pretty,” he said. “I think it’s made out of wool. A nice blanket.”
Webster’s response was that they have all been made and given with lots of love.
It took 44 squares to make each blanket, for a total of 880 squares for the 22 blankets. Webster sewed the squares together to form the blankets.
A member of staff noted that the blankets would be a reminder that good things did come out of the COVID-19 lockdown.
Webster’s knitting crew included Joyce Condon, Piera DalMolin, Eleanor Christie, Marion McKenzie, Louise Wentzell and Irene Jackle. Most have been knitting since they were children. Condon found it particularly good to knit while watching television.
Webster says it could not have been accomplished without the help of Susie Mandziak, lifestyle manager at River Ridge, who helped to co-ordinate it and hand out the supplies to participants.
Webster says the residents in long-term-care are changing regularly so there will continue to be a need for blankets. When she asked the group of knitters on Friday whether they were willing to continue knitting those squares, they were all in.
Mandziak had arranged a small celebration for the group on Friday after the blankets were distributed. They enjoyed cucumber sandwiches, pieces of fresh fruit and even a special dessert as they sipped coffee and tea. At each place setting there were little gifts of chocolates and pretty notebooks for each person.
