Hobby Club continues to help those in need
Equipped with knitting needles and a supply of wool, one group of islanders set about providing comfort for those in need. On hearing about the homeless on Pine Island, members of the St. James Hobby Club sprang into action doing what they do best.
“We had heard that there were several homeless people on Pine Island and while we are not able to do anything about housing these folks, we realized that the one thing we could do is to try to make their lives a little more comfortable,” said Hobby Club president Sandy Tejera. “Some of our ladies got together and began knitting socks which we later brought to the Beacon of HOPE to distribute to the people who need them. As a group, we don’t raise a lot of money, but each year we do what we can to help those in our community and the socks were just one of the many things we have done this year.”
Receiving and distributing the socks made by the Hobby Club was Beacon staff member, Patty Scott.
“We are very grateful to people like the Hobby Club. They have given so much of themselves to help those less fortunate in our community,” Scott said. “Without their kindness and contributions, much of what we do here at the Beacon could not be accomplished.”
Since its founding in 1962, the Hobby Club has used its talents for making usable items to donate to many organizations and healthcare facilities in the area.
“There are so many things our group has done to help those who need our help it’s hard to find a place to start,” Tejera said “Each year we make lap blankets for people in the area nursing homes. They are crocheted, knitted or quilted and we send out dozens of them each year. We also make stuffed animals for the children in the hospital, as well as small blankets and nearly anything we think will help comfort them. We also make many items to sell at our annual Hobby Club sale and donate the money we earn to local charities.”
Some of the charities supported by the Hobby Club on Pine Island include the Beacon of HOPE, FiSH, the Pine Island Food Pantry, Ronald McDonald House, Cape Coral Hospital and Pine Island Elementary School.
In addition to the recent donation of socks, Hobby Club members also have donated hand-made blankets, hats and scarves to the Beacon for the homeless. The group also assists in providing backpacks and supplies for children returning to Pine Island Elementary School each year and makes and delivers pillows for use by adults and children at the Cape Coral Hospital.
The St. James Hobby Club meets each Wednesday morning at the St. James City Civic Center. Those attending ply their skills using not only knitting needles, but enjoy other forms of hand crafts as well. During a typical meeting one might find a group sharing tips on creating greeting cards, using plastic canvas to create usable items such as napkin and tissue holders, stringing beads for multiple uses or just gathering around a table to play cards, sip coffee and chat during the morning hours at the St. James City Civic Center. The Hobby Club is not restricted to just residents of St. James City and women travel from as far as Punta Gorda to attend the meetings each week year round. During the spring season, the Hobby Club elects new officers and the next installation for positions to be held during 2012 will take place on April 13.
For more information about the St. James Hobby Club membership and dues, contact club secretary Dixie Smegal at 283-7253.