Stilliguamish Senior Center knitters help area's homeless

ARLINGTON — It’s equal parts knitting and conversation for a group of women who gather at the Stillaguamish Senior Center each week.

But gossip and discussion are not the only things group members contribute during their time.

The women recently donated 160 hand-made items, including scarves, hats, shawls, slippers and gloves to the Everett Gospel Mission Men’s Shelter.

The items are for sale at the shelter’s “store,” and were delivered in late October, said group member Cathy Nairn.

Men, women and teens in need can shop at the store without any money being needed, Nairn said.

“We just sit here every Monday, work on our projects and stay for lunch,” Nairn said.

More than 10 “Monday Lunch Bunch” members gather at the senior center to work on knitted and crocheted items for donation and for themselves.

Projects range from smaller items such as pot holders to yard-long scarves.

Sitting at a table with other group members, Dorothy McNeill was busy at work Monday, Nov. 1.

“This only took me a couple hours,” McNeill said, holding up a colorful pot holder. “Sometimes it takes a couple hours, sometimes it takes a couple of days. It all depends on the item.”

The group formed out of the Washington TOPS Chapter 433 in Arlington about a year and half ago, Nairn said.

“We all wanted to see each other more than our once-a-week meeting,” Nairn said.

In addition to knitting, crocheting or other forms of craft-making, women discuss local issues and take advantage of the Stillaguamish Senior Center’s lunch special.

The group meets from 10 a.m. until about 12:30 p.m.

“It’s only $2.50 for lunch, so we hang around until then,” McNeill said.

Nairn said other residents are welcome to join the group. The group plans to begin making mittens for a mitten tree in the lobby of the senior center.

The Stillaguamish Senior Center is located at 18308 Smokey Point Blvd, Arlington.

Contact Arlington Times Reporter Adam Rudnick at arudnick@arlingtontimes.com or 360-659-1300 Ext. 5056.

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