Handmade scarves to be donated for good cause
Polly Johnson, clad in her own handmade red scarf, led a work day for HeartScarves Monday at the Columbiana County Seniors’ clubhouse. Here, Johnson works on a scarf for the effort. Another work day is scheduled Jan. 26 for the effort. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)
Jane Hackathorn, of Columbiana, works on a knitted scarf Monday for HeartScarves during a work day at the Columbiana County Seniors’ clubhouse. The scarves are collected and forwarded to North Carolina for distribution to heart disease survivors. Another work day is scheduled for Jan. 26 at the clubhouse. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)
Polly Johnson, clad in her own handmade red scarf, led a work day for HeartScarves Monday at the Columbiana County Seniors’ clubhouse. Here, Johnson works on a scarf for the effort. Another work day is scheduled Jan. 26 for the effort. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)
Jane Hackathorn, of Columbiana, works on a knitted scarf Monday for HeartScarves during a work day at the Columbiana County Seniors’ clubhouse. The scarves are collected and forwarded to North Carolina for distribution to heart disease survivors. Another work day is scheduled for Jan. 26 at the clubhouse. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)
Trending
COLUMBIANA -- Just in time for rapidly-approaching Valentine's Day, crocheters and knitters gathered Monday at the city's newest clubhouse to show they have a heart.
The scarves will be donated to HeartScarves, which was developed by WomenHeart.org website in response to feelings of fear and isolation that WomenHeart champions as result of their heart disease.
Polly Johnson, who initiated the effort based at Columbiana County Seniors' clubhouse, explained the handmade scarves --made of red yarn -- are brought to female heart patients within hospitals to offer support and comfort for women during their recovery and beyond.
All scarves, whether crocheted or knitted, have a few common characteristics:
-- They are always red.
-- They are always handmade.
-- Each scarf always has a label sewn in --identifying it as a WomenHeart scarf at the warehouse where is it is sanitized before distribution.
-- A printed gift card explaining the meaning behind the program also is also attached.
Johnson suggests participants bring a scarf pattern (she also has a variety on hand for them to pick from); any red yarn, worsted or medium weight yarn is best for newbies; either a pair of size 8 or 9 knitting needles or a H, J or K crochet hook.
Often, recipients either are hand-delivered the scarves while still in the hospital or in a cardiac rehab right after their cardiac event, according to WomenHeart's website at WomenHeart.org
The scarves are sized accordingly to prevent getting tangled in medical hook-ups -- many choose to wear them indoors during recovery.
After completion, Johnson will package the scarves in a protective mailer. They will be shipped it to WomenHeart's HeartScarves processing headquarters in Gold Hill, N.C.
WomenHeart.org is the website of the National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease, which was founded more than two decades ago. To this day, it is still is the only national patient-centered organization focuses exclusively on women's heart disease.
A second HeartScarves work day is scheduled from 1 to 3 p.m. Jan. 26, which is also a Monday, at the Columbiana-based seniors' clubhouse.
Barbara Ferrand, founder of the county seniors' nonprofit group, reminds other efforts that they can reach out if they need space to hold their gatherings.
She can be reached to discuss any interest through the Columbiana County Seniors' Facebook page.