North Shore Towers Courier n March 2016 27 Knitting for Hospice By John Diaz-Chermack October 16, 2015 Nothing says comfort like a soft, warm fuzzy handmade afghan. And for the past eight years four local knitting groups have been diligently knitting and crocheting one-of-a-kind works of art to comfort patients and families facing the final stages of life-threatening illnesses. Angela Purpura and Sandra Nielsen have been coordinating volunteer efforts for Hospice of New York, which has been serving New Yorkers who are dealing with death and dying since 1997. Angela and Sandra report that these crafty knitters have supplied hundreds of comforting afghans to hospice patients since the effort began in 2007. It all started with one patient whose father was cared for by Hospice of New York. She knitted the first comforter given to a hospice patient. It was so much appreciated by the patient and cherished as a keepsake by the family after the patient had died that this began a whole new way for volunteers to aid hospice patients. While the most requested item is overwhelmingly afghans, knitters have provided lap blankets (great for those in a wheelchair!) hats and shawls all of which keep patients warm and comfy at this critical time in their lives. Hospice Nurse and Patient Care Coordinator Doreen Germain commented, “I’ve never seen a bigger smile on my patient’s face than when I gave her the afghan.” And Hospice Chaplain Fr. Hyacynth wrote to the knitters, stating, “Thank you for your time, energy and resources spent on these beautiful blankets. Your generous hearts, minds and hands put unbelievable smiles on the faces of our brothers Knitting for Hospice By John Diaz-Chermack October 16, 2015 Nothing says comfort like a soft, warm fuzzy handmade afghan. And for the past eight years four local knitting groups have been diligently knitting and crocheting one-of-a-kind works of art to comfort patients and families facing the final stages of life-threatening illnesses. Angela Purpura and Sandra Nielsen have been coordinating volunteer efforts for Hospice of New York, which has been serving New Yorkers who are dealing with death and dying since 1997. Angela and Sandra and sisters report who that are sick!” these crafty knitters have supplied hundreds of comforting afghans to hospice patients since The only the problem effort with began the knit in 2007.goods donation It all started program with is that one the patient whose father was cared for by Hospice of New number York.of patients She in knitted need of the these first afghans comforter far exceeds given the supply.to a hospice patient. It was so much appreciated by the If you or someone you know would like to put your handicraft to patient work to help and comfort cherished those facing as a keepsake the end of life,by please the family contact Hospice after the patient had died that this began a whole new way of for New volunteers York’s Volunteer to aid Department:hospice patients. While the most requested item is overwhelmingly afghans, • Angela Purpura: (Nassau and Queens) angela.purpura@hospice. knitters nyc 347-226-have 4801 provided lap blankets (great for those in a wheelchair!) hats and shawls all of which keep patients • Sandra Nielsen:warm (Bronx,and comfy Brooklyn at and this Manhattan)critical time sandra. in their lives. nielsen@hospice.nyc 347-226-4821 Hospice Nurse and Patient Care Coordinator Doreen Germain commented, “I’ve never seen a bigger If you’d like to help but do not knit, you can donate yarn to the smile knitters’on groups my already patient’s making face these than woolen when treasures.I gave Hospice her the is afghan.” And Hospice Chaplain Fr. Hyacynth wrote to also the in need knitters,of volunteers stating,to visit “Thank patients you in their for homes your time,or in the energy and resources spent on these beautiful blankets. in-patient setting, or to assist with administrative tasks in the office. Your The universal generous response hearts,from minds hospice volunteers and hands is that put they unbelievable find the smiles on the faces of our brothers and sisters who experience are sick!”so rewarding it almost feels like the patients help them just as much as they help the patients! EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES The only problem with the knit goods donation program is that the number of patients in need of Administrative Volunteers these afghans far exceeds the supply. If you or someone you know would like to put your handicraft to work to help comfort those facing the end of life, please contact Hospice of New York’s Volunteer Department: Angela Purpura: (Nassau and Queens) angela.purpura@hospice.nyc 347-226-4801 Sandra Nielsen: (Bronx, Brooklyn and Manhattan) sandra.nielsen@hospice.nyc 347-226- 4821 Angela and Angela Sandra and folding Sandra folding newly newly donated donated afghans afghans If you’d like to help but do not knit, you can donate yarn to the knitters’ groups already making these EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITES COMMUNITY HOSPICE NURSES (RN) MEDICAL SOCIAL WORKERS (LMSW/LCSW) Bilingual English/Spanish; English/Mandarin; English/Cantonese. Reliable automobile & valid driver’s license are preferred. Competitive compensation and benefits package. Hospice of New York is an Equal Opportunity Employer. FORWARD RESUME TO: JUDITH GAYLE judith.gayle@hospiceny.com or Fax: 718.784.1413 VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITES Come Make a Difference New training groups each month! Patient Care Volunteers Support patients and their loved ones in your community Bereavement Volunteers Support families who have lost a loved one Administrative Voluteers Assist personnel in our Long Island City office NASSAU & QUEENS Contact Angela Purpura angela.purpura@hospiceny.com or 516.222.1211 MANHATTAN, THE BRONX & BROOKLYN Contact Sandra Nielsen sandra.nielsen@hospiceny.com or 718.472.1999 BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES Free bereavement support services for adults who have had a loss (Loved one is not required to have had hospice care) Contact our Bereavement Department at 347.226.4823
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