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Reminder Assistant Editor EAST LONGMEADOW A bonanza is defined as a situation or event that creates a sudden increase in wealth, good fortune or profits. The Blanket Bonanza at the First Congregational Church sees it as an opportunity for health and happiness. "We had a gal working on the church's missions committee [Lyn Hollinger] who was working at Mercy Medical Center, putting together gift baskets for new moms and babies," Bev Steele, an organizer of the program, explained. The group started collecting items for the baskets first, before transitioning to a sewing, quilting and crocheting machine. Steele said she had a friend in Springfield who does something similar and the First Congregational Church's Blanket Bonanza officially began its mission on Jan. 16. "We had 10 women come together, cutting, ironing and sewing blankets, quilts and hats," Steele said. Three of the group's members bring their own sewing machines to the church to work. While other sewing circles like this existed in the past at First Congregational, this is the first time their talents went toward helping newborns. "There is a need for this at Mercy," Steele added. The group met again last Wednesday evening. They had 15 blankets finished some fleece, some quilts. Steele said that getting the blankets finished was truly a team effort and that it has been fun working on this project. Florence Clarke, a great-grandmother and church congregant for more than 40 years, has a goal of knitting five preemie-sized hats a week for the hospital. She brought an entire gift bag full of hats with her to the Feb. 27 gathering. "I'd rather knit than sew," Clarke said. She added that another member of the group found a pattern for the hats online and that is how she makes them. She adds her own personal touch by placing a tiny yarn pom-pom on top of each hat. Steele said women in their 30s through their 80s are interested in the group and Blanket Bonanza may end up creating a second daytime group for interested elders. Work isn't done only during the gatherings, however. "It's kind of exciting people are doing this and working on their own," Steele said. "It's nice to see that vibrancy in the church." Almost all the material used for the blankets has been donated by other church members and a box is always available at the church for fabric or other supplies to be donated. Steele said Blanket Bonanza is open to anyone who is interested in helping out, not just church members. "Hopefully, we'll start meeting once a month," Steele said. "We meet for an hour and a half and it's amazing what we can get done in that time. There's a lot of enthusiasm for this project." The First Congregational Church is located at 7 Somers Rd., just off the rotary. For more information on the Blanket Bonanza, call the church at 525-4121. | ||||||
