Posted: Nov. 23, 2009

Greenfield — They show up every week to spin yarn, literally and figuratively.

Twenty-two residents are part of a senior citizen crochet group that meets for two hours every Thursday in a City Hall conference room. Not only does it serve as a social event, but this time of year the end result is for a noble cause.

The group, which formed about 14 years ago, has been involved with a clothing drive for the last five years, making afghans, hats, scarves and mittens for needy families in Greenfield around the holidays. About 35 quilts and boxes full of other winter clothing begins to stream out in October and lasts through December.

After the yarn is spun into winter clothing it is donated to the Greenfield High School's annual holiday sharing program put on by the National Honor Society.

High demand, and a thinning supply

This season, as unemployment numbers continue to rise and the mercury begins to drop, the group's efforts no doubt are needed as much as ever.

But now, the group could use a little help of its own.

The ladies' yarn supply is woefully thin. Shelves in a storage area in the Park and Recreation Department that once overflowed with yarn are getting barer by the week.

"We're almost down to nothing," said Lorraine Dutkiewicz, the group's instructor.

Residents have donated yarn for the crocheters over the years but the ladies have made so many items they need more of it, said Karen Malecki of the Greenfield Park and Recreation Department.

That's why they are putting out a call for more donations. Residents willing to help out can drop off yarn at the park and recreation offices on the second floor of City Hall, 7325 W. Forest Home Ave.

The more yarn that is donated, the more area residents could benefit from group members.

Born to a purpose

If the yarn is available, the group can count on one other thing: Dutkiewicz's help.

Dutkiewicz's grandmother taught her how to knit when she was 7 years old. Some 70 years later, she fields knitting questions even when she's at home, from others in her apartment complex.

She has taught the group "never leave their tails hanging and never leave knots."

A lot of them didn't know anything when they started and Dutkiewicz is more than happy to help out.

"That's why God put me on this earth - to help others," she said last week, in the middle of the group's weekly session.

FYI

• Residents can drop off yarn at Greenfield City Hall, 7325 W. Forest Home Ave. For information, call the Park and Recreation Department (414) 329-5370.

• The GHS National Honor Society sharing program runs until Dec. 10. Residents can drop off gently used clothing, nonpersihable food, toys and money between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday at the high school office, 4800 S. 60th St. For information, call NHS adviser Donna Crnovich at (414) 281-6200.