Crafting up fun while helping the needy

by Dan Holland

For the Handcrafters – a group of women who meet up each Monday afternoon at the Brecksville Human Services Department – a lifelong hobby that may include knitting, crocheting and other crafting disciplines provides a social outlet as well as an opportunity to donate needed items to the less fortunate in the Greater Cleveland area.

“We knit and crochet items – things like hats and scarves, mittens, socks, slippers, sweaters, baby afghans – all different sizes,” explained longtime member Karen Dedich. “Then, once a year, we collect them all to donate them to the needy. The people in this group make these things all year-round and save them at home, as there’s not a lot of storage room here. Then we gather them and distribute them to needy organizations.”

The group, which varies in size from eight to as many as 20 participants at times, sets a rough timeline as to when items need to be finished – typically in early November with the onset of cold weather. Residents outside the group often donate items to the cause as well.

“We have some people who come for the camaraderie and make things for their families for Christmas,” said Dedich. “We also get together for Christmas and have lunches. It’s a yearly thing.”

Organizations that receive and distribute the items vary from year to year, Dedich explained. Past recipients have included Laura’s Place, The City Mission, I’m In Ministry and a number of public library systems. This year’s donations will be split between Laura’s Place and I’m In Ministry.

Regina Armagno said she knits more than 100 items per year. Many of the items are donated to the cause, while some are sold at craft shows.

“It’s all about the conversations, making some profits and donating to the needy,” she said. “I just really enjoy the people, and being able to donate to the needy and volunteering; getting together out of the house and donating.”

Barb Schworm joined with the group in early November to complete handmade Christmas stockings for family members. 

“I’ve made about thirty of them over the years,” she said. “It started back in the 1970s with my children, then I made them for all of my nieces and nephews and grandchildren, and now I’m making them for great nieces and nephews.”

The group has also made table decorations for the weekly Human Services Department luncheons, encouraging attendees to take the crafts home with them.

“People will donate items; some are finished or not finished, or they may have yarn and decide they won’t be knitting or crocheting anymore, so they donate those items to us, and we use that for the table decorations and things like that,” added Dedich.“This program allows for recipients to get their warmth for the winter season and year-round,” said Human Services Program Coordinator Ted Lux. “What’s most important to us is that it provides an opportunity to be social. It bothers us that we have this beautiful building, and we know that people are sitting at home by themselves. We try to encourage people to come down and get involved in something like the knitting group.” 

photo caption: The Handcrafters group at the Brecksville Community Center, including Marge Webb, Regina Armagno, Barb Schworm, Grace Bush, Karen Dedich and Helen Doering make blankets, hats, scarves and mittens, many of which are given away to organizations for the less fortunate at the holidays. Photos by Dan Holland.