Yarn artists can help raise money for group home

Knitters and crocheters can wield those needles for a new good cause.

Donations of handmade scarves are being sought to sell to raise money for Bethany House, a new group home for disabled adults in Geneva.

The Association for Individual Development estimates it will cost $264,000 to renovate a house on South Street to meet safety and accessibility codes. It intends to start the work by the end of April, and hopes to move five clients in by the beginning of August. It has raised $204,000 for the work.

Wendy Bialek, an AID employee, thought of "Scarves for South Street" even though she doesn't knit or crochet. "I have tried, but not too successfully," she said.

"We try to tap in to any kind of talent the community has," Bialek said. "And I know a lot of knitters." She figured scarves are a low-key project, unlike making a large afghan, and that people could make them using yarn they have left over from other projects, so they won't spend much money.

If possible, scarf creators are asked to work a star into the pattern. AID's logo contains a star.

The scarves will be collected through the end of the summer, then sold in the fall at AID offices and at community events. Bialek would also like to find a store that will sell them on consignment.

Scarves can be dropped off at AID's office at 1135 Bowes Road, South Elgin. For more information about the project, call Bialek at (847) 931-2294 or send e-mail to wbialek@the-association.org.

For more information about Bethany House or AID, call (847) 931-2291 or visit the-association.org.