Members of “A Stitch and a Prayer” service group at Harvest Chapel Free Methodist Church surrounded by dozens of “lapghans they made as Christmas gifts for area Meals on Wheels clients. The women created over 175 blankets. L-R Front: Ann McIntyre and Christina Galardo-Schnarrs. Back: RuthAnn Mrowka, Dottie Grant and Mary Mills.

A local knit and crochet group spread a little extra Christmas cheer to the homebound this holiday season.

It all began last spring, when Harvest Chapel’s “A Stitch and a Prayer” crafters decided they wanted to work on a special Christmas project. The group spent countless hours designing and creating more than 175 handmade “lapghan” blankets to give as gifts to area Meals on Wheels clients.

“We stepped up to the challenge and even surprised ourselves that we were able to do it. Member Christina Galardo-Schnarrs really went to town,” said RuthAnn Mrowka, project organizer. Our goal was to make sure we made enough blankets for every person who receives services from Dunkirk-Fredonia Meals on Wheels.”

“We made them in every color of the rainbow, in both “feminine” and “masculine” color schemes. It was fun,” remarked Ann McIntyre, a member of the group.

The blankets were scheduled to go out just before Christmas with Dunkirk-Fredonia Meals on Wheels deliveries. To be eligible for Meals on Wheels, people have to be 60 or older, and/or restricted or confined to their home, and unable to shop for or prepare meals with no one available to provide assistance.

“Our group has done projects for the hospital, Hospice and others. It’s our way of touching other people’s lives with an act of kindness,” said Mrowka.

It took the group five months to complete the project. While they crocheted the blankets during their monthly meetings, most of the work was done at home. The group kept track of their progress with monthly email updates.

“We were overwhelmed by their generosity,” said Debra Pacos, Executive Director, Dunkirk-Fredonia Meals on Wheels. “How thoughtful and caring it was of the group to create such beautiful, useful gifts for our homebound clients. I know they’ll be delightfully surprised!”

A proud United Way Community Partner, Dunkirk-Fredonia Meals on Wheels also receives support for its programs and operations from the Chautauqua County Office for the Aging, RSVP, area foundations, service organizations, churches and individual donors.

For more information on how you can volunteer, contribute or speak out for the seniors in Northern Chautauqua County, contact Dunkirk-Fredonia Meals on Wheels at 366-8822 or email dpacosdfmow@netsync.net.