Neighbors working together for the good of the community

In December of 2024, I was tasked to write a column which would not come to mind without help. My only thought was to seek a group of neighbors in their “sewing” circle for help. However, what a surprise was encountered when my foot stepped into the studio in the woods at the end of the street. A sewing circle, NOT… but a group of 12 ladies working together for the good of humanity and community. I was so completely overwhelmed by what was taking place in the studio that the original column went by the wayside and a new column was quickly born.

This private group, (by invitation only!) meets once a week, every Wednesday, has lunch and then works on various projects for about 4 hours. The original group had been meeting for 3 years and was comprised of retired professional women, nurses and teachers. Today the group regulars are: Patty, Lynn, Brenda, Lucinda, Gail, Cyndee, Martha, and Carrie. Fiona, Sharon, Tina and Evelyn participate whenever possible in person, but also work from home sending in finished projects.

To me, the most astonishing inventive craft was the making of mats for the homeless population from plastic store shopping bags. Instead of throwing the bags in the trash, the gals recycle as they strip the bags into manageable narrow pieces and weave the plastic pieces of old Walmart bags into heavy, waterproof mats.

Initially, they started the process using 1-2 inch wide strips of plastic from the bags, but quickly found that 6 inch wide strips made a better, more comfortable durable mat. Patty’s ingenious husband, Kraig, made a frame to help the gals simplify their weaving process. The gals told me that the craft of weaving mats was part of the Community Mission Project and at this time, they had completed 26 mats ready to be delivered.

Some of the women were making “scrubby washcloths” and jar openers which went into handmade stockings to be delivered prior to Christmas with additional personal items such as toothbrushes, tooth paste, soaps and more. Other projects during the year, included making lap blankets for the Linden Nursing home which were delivered on December 10th. With Christmas approaching, December 10th was also a day that the ladies sang Christmas carols at the Focused Care Nursing Home in Linden. WOW not only are they talented with handwork but love to sing as well. And, you can be sure the residents loved every moment the girls were there with them.

Our gals weave, knit and crochet. On December 4th they delivered 80 blue and white crocheted hats to the Linden Choir (Linden’s school colors). Additionally, they had knitted 140+ hats, 30+ scarves and 50-60 pairs of gloves for various homeless and underprivileged groups.

Another program with the Atlanta Public Library is the Project Linus team. The Linus motto is “The best kind of sleep under heaven above, is under a blanket handmade with love.” The gals are again providing their best and delivering finished blankets to the library on a monthly basis.

Patty Fallwell and Lynn Monroe are incredibly busy ladies who don’t just stop with this group, but take part in various Atlanta, TX Public Library functions. They teach a crocheting class monthly and are both active members of the “Friends” of the Atlanta Public Library group, meeting monthly at the library.

We are completely blessed to have them on the TACO soup team which culminates with soup pick up February 4th at the Nazarene Church in Atlanta. Patty and Lynn are the ONION cutters! They chop 40-50 onions prior to our cooking! Can you imagine? By the way, you can pre-purchase Taco soup right now at the Atlanta Public Library until January 24th.

Women working together in many aspects make an incredible difference in the lives of so many people in the Cass County community. If you aren’t involved with a volunteer group, please give it some thought. There are so many groups that could use just ONE extra hand to assist during the 2025 year.

Plus, life-long friendships are made with like-minded people, helping people, working together for the good of the Community.

We love our neighbors who make Cass County a better place for all to live. Thank you, ladies!