Her love of crocheting inspired local Girl Scout Troop 122 leader Laura Escobar to teach her troop the art of crochet. And that in turn launched another brilliant idea: to crochet blankets and donate them to those in need. Thus “Crochet for a Cause” was born.
Back in January, the girls began their project, and things snowballed from there: why not involve others in this labor of love? Escobar contacted the Life Enrichment Senior Center in Oyster Bay, suggesting an intergenerational project where students and seniors alike could pool their resources for the cause. As a result, the senior center’s “Happy Hookers” crochet and knitting group crafted blankets to add to those the girls were creating. Blankets of every color started piling up.
“It’s terrific to see both young and old work together for our community,” said Diane Aerne, member of the LEC and a contributor to the project. “It’s so important to have the students and seniors work together…a very heartwarming endeavor.”
Additional troops within the Girl Scouts Bay Association were invited to join the event and more donations were received. Even some of the girls’ grandmothers made lovely crochet, or even fleece, blankets. Patti McSkane from Oyster Bay’s The Knitted Purl invited her customers to join the cause, and as a result, three one-of-a-kind blankets were added to the stash.
In all, more than 40 blankets were created. The girls in Troop 122, which along with Escobar includes leaders Lisa Kieran and Lauren Schadler, will research, brainstorm and vote on where to donate the blankets.
Those who made the blankets include: Girl Scouts Elisia Gallo, Brynn Johnson, Jackie Kieran, Michaela Lester, Joan Olivero, Cailee Salvato, Mary Vera and Arianna Wulffen; McSkane and her customers from The Knitted Purl; Gallo’s grandmother and Olivero’s grandmother; and LEC members Diane Aerne, Lydia Minetto, Peggy Ricciardi, Mimi Treacy, Chris Williams and Manijeh Zavarzahed.
—Submitted by Life Enrichment Center At Oyster Bay
