FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.timesnewsweekly.com october 29, 2015 • TIMES 9 ELECTROLYSIS Knitting for Hospice PERMANENT HAIR 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 and sisters who are sick!” The only problem with the knit goods donation program is that the number of patients in need of 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) [email protected] 347-226-4821 Angela and Sandra folding newly donated afghans If you’d like to help but do not knit, you can donate yarn to the knitters’ groups already making these woolen treasures. Hospice is also in need of volunteers to visit patients in their homes or in the in-patient setting, or to assist with administrative tasks in the office. The universal response from hospice volunteers is that they find the experience so rewarding it almost feels like the patients help them just as much as they help the patients! REMOVAL WITH A GENTLE TOUCH Rita is A Certified Electrologist In Business For over 20 Years LOOK and FEEL your Absolute BEST Now! Get Rid of Unwanted Hair Today! LOCATED IN MIDDLE VILLAGE Treatments by appointment only FREE! 15-Minute Treatment and Consultation (New Patients Only) • 10% Senior Discount • Sterile Disposable Probes! 718-541-9052
RT10292015
To see the actual publication please follow the link above