Don't throw away those plastic groceries bags; use them to help the homeless. Using plastic bags, a group of women at The Village Church in LaCombe, La., crochet sleeping mats and more for the homeless. Not only are these women helping the homeless, they are helping the environment by reusing the plastic bags.
It takes around seven to 800 plastic grocery bags to create a six-by-three foot sleeping mat. Beatrice Stinkamp said, "Nothing goes to waste, we use everything. We take the remaining pieces to Winn Dixie to recycle." Each plastic bag is cut into strips, tied together, and then rolled into "Plarn (plastic yarn) balls." Now that they have Plarn balls, they spend all their spare time crocheting the sleep mats.
They only meet once a month for a few hours, but these generous women crochet all month long. Kathy Capace, one of the organizers, crochets during those long waits at the doctor's office. Lois Fraizer, a group member, is a great example of the compassion residing in these women's generous hearts. Lois said that "as I crochet these mats, I pray for those that receive these mats…that God will bless them and take care of them."
Not only do they crochet sleeping mats, they crochet lap blankets for teen and children cancer patients at the New Orleans Children's Hospital. At a monthly meeting, Mercedes Latapie was crocheting a lap blanket with the New Orleans Saints football team colors of black and gold. Mercedes said, "When they go to have a medical test, they don't have to share, and they get to take them home."
The giving hearts of the Village Church keep giving more of themselves. Some church members volunteer at retirement centers and hospitals. Pastor Paul Ernewein's father made a beautiful toy box, which helps bring joy to sick children. Children receiving cancer treatment at the New Orleans Children's Hospital get to choose a toy from the beautiful toy box. They also cleared a large piece of land behind the church for a future community garden. Needy locals will be able to grow their own vegetables, and church members will grow vegetables for food donations.
Join these women at The Village Church for classes to learn how to crochet sleeping mats, totes, and purses. There is a meeting on the first Thursday of every month. Kathy said, "Everyone is invited and we have people of all backgrounds within our group. Everyone chooses what they like: sorting bags, folding bags, cuttings bags, making Plarn (plastic yarn) balls, crocheting, and teaching." For those that don't know how to crochet, there are lessons at the monthly meeting. According to Kathy, Athie Bohnet "didn't know how to crochet, but now she does more than most." Call the chairperson Jeanne Casamento at 985-847-2589 or Kathy Capace at 985-882-4007. Also, you can email Kathy at kcapace@gmail.com.
At the meeting, get to know the amazing people in the group photo, which includes Athie Bohnet, Beatrice Stinkamp, Pastor Paul Ernewein, Jeanne Casamento, Becky Holley, Kathy Capace, and Mercedes Latapie. Ask for me at the next meeting also, I will probably be there. I have started crocheting my first sleep mat.
Victoria Mendez - The world is a huge and facinating place where adventure abounds and interesting finds are always just around the corner. As a technical ...
