Give The Gift Of Comfort And Warmth With Mercy Center's Knitting Program

By CAROLYN MILAZZO

Rose Flamini does two good deeds every Saturday.

The first is working as a volunteer at the front desk at the Mercy Center, welcoming guests and answering phones at the Neck Road spiritual retreat center. The second is whipping up hats, scarves, sweaters and shawls for the poor under a new volunteering knitting and crocheting program at the center. Using donated yarn, Flamini makes the most of her time behind the front counter, keeping her fingers and knitting needles in constant motion to help others.

Most of Flamini's knitting projects are donated to the poor in Bridgeport, but some wind up on the shelves of the Mercy Center Book Store. Some of the proceeds from the sale of the knitted and crocheted items are used to pay for a one-day retreats for about 30 poor inner-city residents at the center overlooking Long Island Sound. The center hosts one-day retreats and one night overnight stays for the poor every spring and fall.

The new program is the brainchild of Book Store Manager Betty Orosz of Branford, who has been crocheting items for the poor for several years. Orosz recently placed several skeins of colorful yarn on the bookstore shelves and posted a sign inviting knitters and crocheters to take them and return their creations to the book store to help out the needy. She is also seeking yarn donations, noting that she often uses several different types of yarn in one afghan.

"We're not looking for anything fancy," said Orosz, a Branford resident. "It's just the idea that you're helping someone who might not otherwise have something to keep him warm in the winter. One of my afghans was given to a poor couple who moved into a new apartment. They draped it over a chair and said it made it look like a real home."

Orosz said the program is great for people who like to knit or crochet, but want to do it with a specific goal in mind. She said her family has no need for another afghan, but she finds it inspiring creating something for someone who really needs it. She often includes a prayer with her creations telling the recipient that she is praying for them. 

"I don't know them and they don't know me, but it's nice to know that there is someone out there praying for you," she said.

The center is seeking knitted scarves, hats, gloves, afghans and shawls as well as baby's blankets. Anyone who would like to participate can contact Orosz at 203-245-0401 between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. weekdays.