Charity knitters share their stories at anniversary gathering

Ela Charity Knit & Crochet celebrated its ninth anniversary May 18 with a potluck dinner and a donation of handmade blankets, hats, housewarming baskets and other items for area organizations to share with those in need.

"It's unbelievable how much they do for us and the community. We're very appreciative of them," said Maria Sievert, volunteer coordinator for Lake County Haven, a social service agency dedicated to meeting the needs of homeless women and children.

Lake County Haven was the beneficiary of housewarming baskets for women transitioning from the shelter to an apartment. The baskets contained handmade doilies and potholders, dish towels, a cookbook and more. The baskets were the perfect gift for women starting new lives in a home of their own, Sievert said.

Ela Charity Knit & Crochet also donated 100 blankets to Kids' Korner, a waiting room at the Lake County Courthouse for children who are there to testify or whose parents or guardians are conducting court business. Blankets were also donated to A Safe Place, which aids victims of domestic violence.

A new project for the knitters was creating reusable cloth menstrual pads for girls in Africa. The pads were donated to Wauconda-based Bookfriends International, a nonprofit organization that provides textbooks and other supplies to schools in Africa.

Without these pads, African girls would be unable to attend school when they are menstruating, said Susan Fackler, director of Ela Township Community and Family Services. "This has been a really nice project for us to do," she added.

Ela Charity Knit & Crochet would like to give a special thanks to Orchard Prime Meats and Home Depot in Lake Zurich for their support.

During the past nine years, Ela Charity Knit & Crochet has handmade more than 5,000 blankets, hats, scarves, baby items and more for donations to area churches, homeless and domestic violence shelters, schools, hospitals and other nonprofit organizations and causes.

The group meets every Wednesday, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Ela Township Community Center, 380 Surryse Road, in Lake Zurich. Beginners and those with no experience are welcome to attend, as the other members are always happy to share their know-how. The group also accepts donations of yarn. For information, call Fackler at (847) 540-8380 or visit www.elatownship.org/charity-knit-crochet.