WAKEFIELD 4-H CLUB, Nifty Needles friends Kaylee Armstrong (left) and Grace Russo with their hats in progress.
Published in the January 15, 2016 edition.
By REGINA PETERS
WAKEFIELD — As winter weather sets in, Wakefield’s Nifty Needles 4-H Club is fighting the cold and warming hearts of the poor in the Appalachians. Encouraged by the 4-H pledge to use their “hands for larger service,” club members with the leadership of teen member, Eleanora Peters, sewed fleece hats for disadvantaged children.
Over 30 fleece hats with designs from simple to fringed were donated to the Christian Appalachian Project (CAP). Focused on promoting the dignity and independence of the impoverished in the Appalachian region, CAP serves the hardest-hit areas where over 50 percent of the children are living in poverty. As part of their Grateful Threadz packages, the infant and toddler sized hats were combined with other clothing and household goods and distributed to thousands of families in greatest need.
Both experienced sewers and members who only weeks ago were learning how to thread their sewing machines put their skills to work assembling cozy and classy hats. In addition to the many she assisted in for donation, club member Holly was so excited by the simple yet chic designs that she went home to make more to give to family and friends. So the cycle of giving continues through using one’s skills to benefit others, something 4-H works to encourage in its members.
The Nifty Needles 4-H Club, led by Joanne Brown, meets once a week throughout the school year at the First Baptist Church, Wakefield. The Massachusetts 4-H Program is a part of the United States Department of Agriculture through UMass Extension. If you would be interested in knowing more about the 4-H program or local 4-H clubs contact Joanne Brown at 781-246-2340 or visit the club website at www.niftyeedles4h.webs.com or the Massachusetts 4-H website at www.mass4h.org.
