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The women of Epiphany Lutheran Blanket Buddies in Burtonsville, Maryland were clacking and clicking frantically, due to the volunteer spirit of the group. A pastor friend of the group voiced a wish that she could give some of the kids her Lutheran Campus Ministry at the Univeristy of Maryland tutored some warm mittens, scarves and hats. I was astounded, because just a few days prior to that, I had received about 8 boxes of colorful yarn on my front porch, from a lady I didn't know. I scratched my head, wondering why they came to us (although I suspected it was because I had just registered us with Lion Brand). So when Beth asked for the items for the kids, I quickly said that I thought the Blanket Buddies could help out with that wish, and thanked God (and the wonderful lady who sent the yarn) for the boxes of yarn. I went to the group with the request and it was met with an enthusiastic YES! We started knitting and crocheting using very bright colors, because our clients were Latino elementary children. Two of us even packed yarn in our travel bags and made scarves as we toured through Germany. When I got back from Germany, we had over 100 items ready to go to Pastor Platz. As we settled into getting ready for Christmas, we had a representative of our local Shepherd's Table speak in our church. After her presentation, we asked her what we could do to help more. She had a dreamy look on her face and said that it was her wish to give each of the homeless people a little box of "goodies" on Christmas Eve when they came to dinner. Without thinking, I asked if we could make some warm scarves or hats. She said that would be loveley and said there would be about 140 boxes assembled. That made me pause because it was already just before Thanksgiving - but I bolted forth and said "Count on that from us." Then I had to go to my friends in Blanket Buddies and ask them if they could "help out"! Being good friends and Christian ladies, they looked at me agast, threatned to put duct tape on my mouth for the rest of my life and said "sure we can do that" Then the work began, between the normal frantic work of the holiday season, I had added a little stress. On top of it, I was taking a vacation to the Bahamas. One suitcase was packed with yarn, as well as my carry on, I couldn't, after all, leave my friends with the bulk of the work. Wouldn't you know it, we did it! The additional scarves, hats and mittens were delivered in time for them to be added to the boxes. Wouldn't you know it, now the temperature here in Maryland is in the 50 degree area, but we are sure that soon the clients of the Shepherd's Table will get good use out of these warm items. We were glad to have added to the giving spirit of Christmas. Phyllis Krchma
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