Crafting for charity a good way to fill in an afternoon
For the past three years the crafty work of long-time friends Jan Brown and Fay Edgeler has benefited those in need.
And this year is no different with the pair bringing in games and a box of toys to put under the Family Works Timaru Herald Christmas tree this week.
Some of the toys they made themselves.
The friends have been meeting every Tuesday afternoon to sew toys, mobiles, and sometimes make jewellery, most of which they donate to the region’s charities.
Brown said the pair had started the meetings as a way to fill in time.
‘‘We had nothing to do on a Tuesday, and we thought we wanted to do something, and it would be good to do something to help anyone else,’’ Brown said.
Since then the pair have met every week to create items for those in need.
The material comes from an ever-expanding container which they have amassed over the years, most of which has been sitting ‘‘doing nothing’’, Brown said.
‘‘Some days we’re right into it, and other days we’ll work on a jigsaw puzzle because we’re not able to concentrate,’’ Edgeler said.
While they create the items to give to people, it also serves the practical reason of a de-cluttering exercise, when the material and items begin to take over the house.
‘‘Last year [toys] went to the radio station. We only do it at the end of the year,’’ Edgeler said.
Both women felt the Timaru Herald Christmas tree initiative was a great idea, but for Brown, it was particularly good as she works at The Crows Nest Opportunity Shop, and comes in.
‘‘Some stuff is brand new. They haven’t even taken the cellophane [plastic cover] off.
‘‘There’s so many people that have got so little, and so much stuff is wasted.’’ sees everything that