Though the weather outside is warming up considerably, a group of concerned
individuals at Tusculum College is already planning ahead for the cold months
to come. The effects of their labor may just warm hearts as well as bodies when
the hotdays of summer turn into the chilly nights of autumn and winter.
Since October of last year the group, comprised of both novice and expert knitters
and crocheters from the Tusculum College and Greeneville community, have been
working on afghans that will be given to needy people throughout the area. The
first batch of their works, a total of about 15 afghans, will go to the Haven
of Mercy Homeless Mission in Johnson City.
The "Stitch in Time" project owes its origin to Gwen Dykes, who works in the
Service-Learning Department at Tusculum. Since a large part of the college's
mission is to educate students on service to the community, Dykes decided a
project that was both fun and charitable would be right for the school. "It's
a labor of love," she said.
The Service-Learning Center sponsors the project, which is also supported by
donations of yarn from people in the community. Wal-Mart also helped out by
offering yarn and other supplies at very reduced prices.
While Tusculum students are attracted to the group, which meets weekly at the Shulman arena on campus, the majority of participants are from other areas of Greeneville. Coming from a wide variety of backgrounds, their ages range from student Heather Brace, 19, to Margaret Helsing, who's in her mid-80's. All different levels of expertise are represented, from beginner to artisan.
|
| From left to right: Genia McAmis, Joyce Daughty, Margaret Helsing, Jean Susong, Gwen Dykes and Sandra Smith |
The group came together after Dykes placed an ad in the Greeneville Sun encouraging
crafts-people to come together for a good cause. Each member agreed that the
experience has been rewarding on several levels. Said Genia McAmis, "I'm here
because I like to be with people and I like to help others."
Brace echoed her sentiments: "I might as well do something I enjoy and help
others in the process," she said. Having begun crocheting when she was a small
child, she donated one afghan she had been working on "for years" to the cause.
Others in the community who were not able to come to the regular meetings also
donated finished products, or worked on their projects at home.
Two mother/daughter pairs are represented in the group. Jean Susong enlisted
her daughter, Sandra Smith, to sew knitted squares together. "I thought it was
a great cause," Smith said. She encourages others in the community to participate
because "if everybody came and only did a little, you'd end up with a lot."
Joyce Daughty, who also works with at Service-Learning Center, and her mother,
Margaret Helsing, form another mother/daughter team. "It's fun and it's something
we can work on together," Daughty said.
Tusculum senior Ricky Welsh, who's new to the craft, said he is "just doing
it for fun...Probably the best part about the whole thing is meeting people
and finding out about them."
Dykes encourages anyone interested in the project to attend the meetings. While
the group will meet once a month during the summer, it will begin weekly meetings
again in the fall. "You don't have to bring anything but a willingness to participate,"
she said. Donations of any extra yarn, supplies, or finished or partially -finished
projects are also appreciated.
Those interested in participating or contributing may call 636-7300, extension 254 for more information.