FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.qns.com FEBRUARY 18, 2016 • WELLNESS • THE COURIER SUN 25 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 knitting groups have been diligently knitting and crocheting patients and families facing the final stages of life-threatening Angela Purpura and Sandra Nielsen have been coordinating which has been serving New Yorkers who are dealing with Sandra and sisters report who that are sick!” these crafty knitters have supplied hundreds since The only the problem effort with began the knit in 2007.goods donation It all started program with is that one the patient New number York.of patients She in knitted need of the these first afghans comforter far exceeds given the supply.to a hospice 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 way of for New volunteers York’s Volunteer to aid Department:hospice patients. While the most • Angela Purpura: (Nassau and Queens) angela.purpura@hospice. knitters nyc 347-226-have 4801 provided lap blankets (great for those in a 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 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.”to also the in need knitters,of volunteers stating,to visit “Thank patients you in their for homes your time,or in the energy 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 who experience are sick!”so rewarding it almost feels like the patients help them just as much as they help the patients! The program these someone handicraft the York’s angela.Manhattan)4821 Angela and Sandra folding newly donated afghans Angela and Sandra folding newly donated afghans AWARD WINNING SHORT-TERM REHABILITATION! of the 2013 THE QUEENS QueensCourier.com Little Neck Care Center OUR SERVICES: • Newly Renovated Facility • State-of-the-Art Rehabilitation • 24-Hour Nursing Care • Onsite Wound Care and IV Therapy • Post-Surgical and Joint Replacement • Pain Management • 24-Hour On-Call Physicians • We Speak a Variety of Languages AMENITIES: • Spacious, Bright and Modern Rooms • Flat Screen TVs And WiFi • Recreational Activities • Beauty/Barber Services • Daily Laundry and Housekeeping • Newspaper and Mail Services • 24/7 Security • Concierge Services New Orthopedic Rehabilitation Program Led By Our Orthopedic Surgeon www.LittleNeckCareCenter.com 260-19 Nassau Blvd., Little Neck, NY 11362 Tel. 718-423-6400 • Fax 718-428-0737 ACCEPTING MEDICARE, MEDICAID, AND MOST HMOs
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