Made by Hand, From the Heart: Retirees Donate Thousands of Knitted Goods
Twelve local organizations benefited from the work of a group of retirees who knitted 3,887 scarves, hats, dolls, blankets, and washcloths.
All told, The Ladies of The Legacy Willow Bend have donated almost 25,000 handmade pieces to organizations since it began. The group, which is based at the retirement community Legacy Willow Bend in Plano, distributed the fruits of 2019’s labor to representatives from each organization they chose to support this year, including Christ United Methodist Church, Cochran Chapel United Methodist Church, Dallas Police Department, Hope’s Door, Jewish Family Service, Minnie’s Food Pantry, National Council of Jewish Women, Streetside Showers, and Trinity Basin Preparatory.
The group of intrepid knitters also worked with a local Girl Scout troop this year, with the troop creating pompoms for the 1,724 hats the women created. After the troop completed its 50-hour service project, Bank of America employees stepped in to continue the work.
“Our knitters do such a wonderful Mitzvah, which means ‘good deed’ in Hebrew,” said Rivae Campo, volunteer coordinator at The Legacy Willow Bend. “These women knit and crochet every Monday as a group, and work individually in their spare time, to create these precious articles intended to give warmth, joy, and comfort for those that need it most. We loved seeing their passion attract others to their efforts this year – sometimes the opportunity to serve is the greatest gift of all.”
The Ladies of The Legacy Willow Bend are passionate about the importance of volunteering and giving back to the greater community, and see the annual distribution event as a culmination of their dedication and efforts. This year’s donation also included toiletry kits with handmade washcloths, toothpaste, and toothbrushes.
“Coming here is a very emotional experience, it really does make you want to keep doing what you’re doing,” said Karen Kurzman, one of The Ladies of The Legacy Willow Bend. “Everything you do is very much appreciated and you have a sense of giving back.”
In addition to Kurzman, the group of resident knitters consists of Ailsa Kull, Christina Chan, Dottie Lombardi, Eda Narosov, Jo Frie, Marilyn Lemont, Nancy Hofstetter, Ruth Altman, Sundra Culver, Vicki Shepard, and Vy Hansen. Non-resident knitters also join the group on Mondays at 3 p.m., including Carol Sobol, Ellen Davis, Jean Spencer, Karen Nathan, Leena Dominick, Susan Friedman, and Susan Moger.
Legacy Willow Bend’s parent company, Legacy Senior Communities, is also developing The Legacy at Midtown Park, a nonprofit rental continuing care retirement community that will open on 10 acres on Manderville Lane between Meadow Road and Royal Lane, with construction expected to be completed this year.
