A Dedication on Mother's Day

On Sunday May 13, 2012 we celebrated Mother's Day.  During church services that day 5 prayer shawls, made by Susan Puhalski, Colynn Hodge and Jennifer LeClaire were brought forward and blessed.  It was a beautiful day and I loved the way the shawls looked in the light shining in through the window. Reverend Denise Clapsaddle has the shawls ready for distribution if you know of someone that can benefit from one.

Happy Mother's Day!

The Meaning Behind the Words

Today I received my copy of the Riverton Congregational Church Newsletter.  There was an article in there mentioning how making a prayer shawl can be make you feel good.  It is ironic that I received this today.  I was sitting here at the end of what has been a very long day.  I was seeking something to lift my spirits.  I have decided to start working on another shawl tonight.  I will be using this beautiful yellow Lion Brand Homespun yarn.  The color makes me happy :)

Please comment below with stories of what knitting or crocheting for charity has done for you.  It is a beautiful rewarding process.

Spring - A Time for New Beginnings

This past Sunday was Easter.  The church looked so beautiful with all the spring flowers.  Spring is a great season to find inspiration for new fresh ideas and energy for new projects.  There is something about the warm sunshine and the beautiful colors that bring about inspiration.

This Spring, I am facing some fresh challenges.  In these challenges, I am looking at many changes in my future.  This is my fresh beginning.  It is time for me to reassess what is the most important to me. How about you?  What is the most important to you?  I feel that it is time for me to put more energy into these things.  I want to look back at my life and know that I have made a positive impact.  One of the ways I can do that is through the ministry.

We recently have distributed several shawls.  Colynn Hodge had done a wonderful job of keeping us supplied with shawls.  We aim to keep some on hand at all times because a request can come up at any time.  Any help that any one can give us in our ministry work would be greatly appreciated.  Can you help by making shawls or any other item?  You can also help by spreading the word about the ministry.  Let us know if you know of anyone that is in need.  Any small part that you can contribute to the efforts of the ministry will make a difference.

Pre Christmas Dontation to the Susan B Anthony Project

This morning I stopped by the Susan B. Anthony Project (SBAP) with some items to donate.  I brought in 4 scarves and 16 hats along with a couple other items I have picked up at the store. 

Our weather for November was very warm compared to what we are used to here in Connecticut.  We know this warmer weather is likely to quickly come to an end. Today at the SBAP I was told that earlier in the season they had a lot of hats but with the one cold spell we had they were all quickly taken.  They felt that the items that I brought in today would be quickly claimed.  If anyone has been looking for a project to work on it sounds like there is plenty of need there.

I have 4 hats made up to bring to the Torrington Cancer Center.  That is not enough.  By this time last year we had already donated a decent amount.  An adult hat can be crocheted with a thick yarn and a basic pattern in about an hour.  If anyone if willing to help please let me know.  I would gladly provide you with yarns and a crochet hook if you need them.  I can also teach you to crochet if you are interested in learning.

Needs for these types if donations are much higher this time of year.  In our current economy most people have less money to spend and many have limited time.  It does not take much of a sacrifice to make up a hat or a blanket.  I always purchase yarns on sale.  There are many brands that are affordable but still of high quality.  I like to crochet in the evenings while I watch television.  The way I look at it, if I am sitting on the sofa I might as well accomplish something while I am there.  Perhaps you could do the same.

Please contact me at leclaire91402@yahoo.com if you are interested in contributing or know of anyone in need.

Thank you!

After the Fair

The church once again held a duck race raffle on the weekend of the Riverton Fair.  It was a great success.  The weather was amazingly warm.  It really was a lot of fun to participate in.

I have a great group of items I am putting together to bring to the Susan B. Anthony Project.  I am currently finishing up a scarf to add to it.  I am making this one with Bernat "Lu Lu" yarn.  It is a soft yarn of a great fuzzy texture.  I picture it being ideal for a young girl in the shelter.   It looks like it will be pretty cute. 

My next goal is to get more hats made up for the chemo patients.  It is getting pretty cold here in Connecticut.  My furnace has already kicked on a couple times this season.  I would like to get a large batch to the Torrington Center for Cancer Care soon.  It would be nice to get them a large batch to start off with.  If you can make any hats up please let me know.  Keep in mind that hats for chemo patients must be made with a soft yarn.  It is best that the style of hat does not have any "holes" in the pattern. A nice tight stitch is preferred.  I do have yarn, crochet hooks, knitting needles and looms available for anyone that needs supplies to get started.

There are many people that work together to make this ministry possible but I am currently the only one writing this blog.  I am happy to report that my life has changed a bit and I do expect to be writing more often.  If you have any questions or ideas for future blog post please let me know.  I look forward to doing all I can to expand and touch more lives.

Post Hurricane - Getting ready for the cold

Flooding in Canton from Hurricane Irene

Here in Connecticut we are cleaning up from Hurricane Irene.  My family lives along the Farmington River.  I went out twice during the storm to check the level of the river.  It was rising quickly.  It made me consider the possibility that the house may be flooded.  I quickly began to think of what a disaster this would be.

In the end our house was spared but many others were not so lucky.  I do not know what we can do to help those that were effected by the storm but if you have any ideas of where we may be needed please pass the information along.

Flooding along the Farmington River

 

 

 

Damage to Park Road in Barkhamsted, CT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The schools are back in session and the hurricane has passed.  Today is September 1st.  This means that the cold weather is right around the corner.  We are trying to get organized to determine where the needs will be the greatest this year.  If you have information about organizations that could use our donations or individual in need please let us know. 

Here is a list of the type of items we have made in the past to assist individuals through the cold weather:

• Afghans
• Lap throws
• Scarfs
• Mittens
• Hats
• Slippers
• Hat specifically designed with softness for chemo patients
• Hooded scarfs
• Sweaters

I also wanted to remind everyone that free crochet lessons are available for anyone interested in joining our cause.  For additional information on this or any other questions please e-mail me at leclaire91402@yahoo.com .

Memorial Day

This morning I turned on the television to catch the weather forecast.  There were many stories about men and women in the military.  It is Memorial Day so there are a lot of people celebrating with picnics and BBQs.  At the same time there are families out there that are going through a the loss of a loved one recently killed in the war.  Others are remembering those that were lost years ago.  It is hard to be at a picnic in a backyard listening to music and having a great time with those that we are with and knowing the suffering that others are going through. 

There is always someone that will be celebrating while others are going through sorrow.  On any given day one family will be celebrating the birth of a baby while another is mourning the death of a loved one.  We could be miserable over the loss of a job while someone else is thrilled with a promotion.  As one person buys a new home another has lost theirs to foreclosure.  We are all at different stages of our lives.  When things are going well for us financially we help those less fortunate.  It is nice to know that if we are overwhelmed with the tasks we need to complete that we have friends and family we can turn to for help.

This is why the ministry is so important to me.  I have been on both the receiving and giving ends of charity.  At this point in my life I am in a position that I can do for others.  I can make a shawl to comfort someone.  I can crochet a hat for someone going through chemotherapy.  I can make a blanket for a homeless person.  What can you do today to touch the life of someone else?  Perhaps you can make a quilt for a baby or you can make a small piece of furniture for someone exiting a shelter and starting a new life.  Perhaps you can craft a handmade wooden button for the burial clothing for an infant.  Maybe today you can just help by reaching out to someone with a smile and a helping hand.  Whatever your ability is to help others today remember that it will make a difference.

Last night I began work on another shawl.  Our shawl supply is down to just 2 or 3.  Since we never know how many we will need at once I want to have a few more on hand.  I also have a batch of baby hats made up.  I have been taking a break from the chemo hats to work on these other items knowing that there are not needed as much this time of year.  With the warm weather however, the making a hat is a lot more comfortable then working on a warm blanket.  Whatever you may desire to make go right ahead.  If it is not needed today and can be placed aside until the need is here.  In the cold weather we can not make hats and other warm items fast enough.