Blankets knitted with love keep the needy warm
Every year, the women at Damant Lodge knit and croquet blankets which they donate to local worthy causes.
On Monday, with 82 blankets complete, the Damant Ladies invited Child Welfare, the Port Alfred Soup Kitchen, Loaves and Fishes and Huis Dias to accept their beautiful creations on behalf of their organisations.
The women have been producing blankets for many years, led for the last six years by Thelma du Preez, who told Talk of the Town: “I retired from the knitting ladies this year to give an opportunity to our younger members.”
Margret Barnard, former Damant Lodge manager until her retirement a little while ago, made the presentations to the various groups on behalf of the knitters.
Barnard said: “I remember when all this began many years ago.
“At the time we were seriously hoping we could produce 20 blankets. Today we are donating over 80.”
First to receive some of the beautiful blankets was Susan Harty of Child Welfare, who said she told the children who were given a blanket that it was a one-off.
“I tell them they will never see another blanket like the one they are receiving.
“They have the only one in the world.”
Liz CoombesHeath received blankets on behalf of Loaves and Fishes and informed everyone that the organisation was now feeding 40 destitute families and possibly 80 people altogether.
Craig Ellis stepped up to receive blankets on behalf of the Soup Kitchen.
“We are careful that we give blankets to those in need, but we only give one.
“Some people want to sell what they receive to have money to purchase food.
“But the idea of the donation is to keep the destitute and elderly warm this winter.
“These blankets are not just made of wool but also of love,” he said.
Three members of Huis Dias collected their blankets including Tania Khats, Hennie Delport and Amanda van Rhijl.
Khats said the blankets would keep the residents of Huis Dias warm this winter, an that she was grateful for the love knitted into each one.
The knitting group meets at the Damant Lodge lounge every Mondaym where they chat and knit for the day.
They also collect the wool they need for the next stage of their individual blanket projects.
“We really need as much wool as possible,” said DuPreez.
“The ladies don’t just knit on Mondays, that is just when they all kit together. The ladies knit all the time.”
If you would like to donate any wool to the Damant Ladies, please drop it off at the complex’s gate.
Be assured you are helping the knitters and the those who receive the beautiful blankets.