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KNITTING FOR VETERANS -- "I saw a need, not only for the

veterans but for the ladies. They need something self-satisfying to

do. Knitting was a way for them to get out of the house and interact

with others, all the while doing a valiant community service."

You, too, can help veterans.  Consider volunteering at your local VA facility.  Click here for more information... http://www1.va.gov/volunteer/

Story here... http://www.dailypress.com/news/local
/newport_news/dp-town_knitting_1206dec06,0,4933960.story

Story below:

-------------------------

Knitting for veterans

Every Monday, a group of knitters meets to create caps, scarves, blankets and more for disabled veterans.

By Shannon Humphrey

Nearly 10 years ago, Howard Johnson of the Disabled American Veterans in Newport News saw a need in the community: Hundreds of area veterans needed specialty items, such as lap blankets, that could fit over their wheelchairs without getting caught in the wheels.

This goal also ended up benefiting another group — several women who love to knit and were looking to turn their craft into an outreach.

"I saw a need, not only for the veterans but for the ladies. They need something self-satisfying to do. Knitting was a way for them to get out of the house and interact with others, all the while doing a valiant community service," Johnson said.

Many of the women are military wives who stepped forward to help the veterans. Other women in the group are retired teachers, widows and moms whose children are no longer at home.

The group is made up of women anywhere from 50 to 90 years old.

The group of women refer to themselves as the DAV Knitters. Each of the members knits blankets, scarves, hats and whatever else may be needed for the Disabled American Veterans.

Ruth Duley, 89, of Yorktown is the last original member who is still able to come out to the Denbigh-Lee Hall Senior Center on Jefferson Avenue every Monday to knit. There are 20 or more women who are unable to visit the center and have to knit at home and send their pieces to be distributed.

Duley crochets mostly but does some knitting as well. She makes blankets to fit over the stretchers at the veterans hospitals.

"I'm so proud to serve the veterans who defended our freedoms. It is truly a blessing to make these things for them," she said.

Another long-time member of the knitting group is Ruth DeMaria of Newport News. She has been knitting for 12 years, 10 with the DAV Knitters.

"Here we can do something for ourselves as well as others. When I come here and knit, I feel like I've accomplished something by helping others," DeMaria said.

DeMaria remembers visiting her brother in a veterans hospital and seeing some of her group's blankets and other items being used.

"It made me feel so good to see that we had provided for a need they had," she said.

So far, the group has donated items to veterans hospitals in Virginia and North Carolina. When the group has extra items, they donate them to local convalescent centers, halfway houses, homeless shelters and once even to an orphanage in China.

The items the women make include blankets, scarves, hats, gloves and more, which Johnson then distributes where there is a need.

The women put in more than 400 hours each year, knitting more than 200 items a year to be donated.

Barbara Graves is one of the many who helps the group, knitting lap robes, hats and scarves. A member of the group for one year, she grew up in a family who knew the importance of community service.

"It warms my heart to help. I grew up in a family that believes in doing things for the good of the community. I'm just continuing to do right by others," Graves said.

Johnson shares his love of community service and appreciation to every single one of the women who knits.

"They are doing a community service, and I love and am proud of every one of them," Johnson said. "I've always thought it was the quality of life, not the quantity that counts. This is what motivates me to volunteer and do good by others."

Mature Adult Center Supervisor Carolyn McClees believes strongly in what each of the women is doing, and she thinks the community should appreciate how they are contributing their time and effort, even if their work is done behind the scenes and often unrecognized.

"They do a tremendous and worthwhile service for the community, and they need some recognition for their selflessness," McClees said. "So many of them have rheumatism and arthritis in their hands, yet they come every week to knit items to help others. That is love, dedication."

The DAV Knitters never ask for any recognition. Each of the women loves what they are able to do for others.

"We just love what we are able to do in the community to help others. We get letters every day showing the appreciation for what we provide. It truly is a blessing to be able to knit to help others," DeMaria said.

How to help

In order to continue their community service, the DAV Knitters need yarn. In recent months, the yarn supply has dried up, leaving them without a vital resource. To help, please donate yarn or funds to purchase the yarn to:

Disabled American Veterans
Department of Virginia Inc.
Chapter 2
Howard Johnson
217 Woodhaven Road
Newport News, VA 23608

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Larry Scott  --

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