|
I really wish you all could have been with Debi
and I as we delivered your beautiful and much needed items to the
Veteran’s Hospital in Lake City. You would all have been amazed
at how clean the nursing home was, the size of the place and the
loving care these men are receiving from some of the volunteers.
We took the following
items:
25 Lap robes, 5 Shawls, 4 Scarves, 46 Hats, 45 Slippers, 30
Caddies, 80 Placemats, 130 Ditty Bags (pencil/pen, paper, comb,
toothbrush);
We also received 120 squares and a lot of those were made into a
couple of lapghans and some wheelchair caddies. We are in the
process now of making more caddies with them, as they are very
much needed down there.
Anne, a volunteer, and Frannie, a
recreational therapist, greeted us upon our arrival. They brought
out 3 carts, 1 with 3 shelves and the other 2 with 2 shelves, for
us to put everything on. As we were loading the carts, their
mouths kept dropping open wider and wider.
We didn’t get to visit with the patients
as they were getting ready for a concert that afternoon. We also
didn’t want to interfere with their schedule and it was getting
close to lunch time.
The men are constantly wanting items such as
wheel chair caddies (the small ones) and hats. If the volunteers
run out of items, they pester the volunteers every day (sometimes
2 and 3 times a day) until a shipment arrives so that they can get
their little corner of independence. Most of the men don’t care
what color it is. The men also prefer the crocheted items rather
than a sewn one – even in the hot months.
Each new patient receives a “ditty” bag
of toothpaste and toothbrush and whatever they may have available
when then they arrive at the nursing home. They also receive, if
possible, lapghans. Sometimes the volunteers have to actually go
out and get these things out of their own pockets so the patients
can have something to know they’re cared about.
We left the soaps from Judy with the
volunteers to give out as they thought appropriate as well as the
razors and approximately 6 tins and 1 bag of Christmas Cookies. We
also printed up – in color – a little card telling the
patients we wished them a happy holiday and thanking them for
their service to our country. Then it was signed from ATCT (Around
the Crochet Table) with members all over the USA. Frannie and Anne
promised that each patient would receive a card so they’d know
where their items came from.
Some of you sent pretty decorative stockings
and table cloths. These will be used for decorations as well as
the ornaments that Bev’s scout troops made. That’s the one
thing I did notice, there wasn’t much in decorations. The 80
placemats, handmade and store bought, will be used in the dining
room and the volunteers thought the men would really enjoy having
some decoration in there also.
Neither Debi nor I can thank you enough for
everything you’ve done during this drive. You’ve exceeded any
of my expectations and the beauty and creativity of your crochet
puts me to shame. Thank you, thank you, thank you. God will reward
you for your gifts.
~ Debi & Pat |
Delivery Date: 
December,
2001 
