Submitted article
For years Alice Hannig, a resident of the Fulton Mills Apartments and a member of the Fulton Mills Craft Group, prided herself in supporting the Care and Share Oswego County Breast Cancer Group by crocheting a blanket that the group would raffle off as a fundraiser. Last year Hannig spent hours joining together granny squares that the Fulton Mills Craft Group had crocheted to make a queen size blanket that was a sought after item at the Care and Share Oswego County Breast Cancer Group fundraiser.
This year however, after undergoing rotator cuff surgery during the summer, Hannig was saddened to discover that she was unable to crochet due to the surgery. When Helen Hoefer, coordinator of Catholic Charities’ Donna’s Place program, which provides support for men and women to help remain self-sufficient members of the community, heard of Hannig’s dilemma she found a solution that would put a smile on Hannig’s face. “When I visited Alice following her surgery she was extremely depressed. After talking with her I realized it was because she would not be able to crochet a blanket for the fundraiser. She loved crocheting and looked forward to making a blanket each year for this group that she felt so strongly about. It was her way of contributing to the group and was proud of the fact that her blankets were always a highlight of the fundraiser. I knew I had to find a way for her to make a blanket,” explained Hoefer.
When Hoefer suggested that Hannig, along with the members of the Fulton Mills Craft Group, try making a fleece tie blanket she jumped at the opportunity to do so and keep her tradition of donating a blanket to a cause she holds dear. “Alice was thrilled to be able to once again make a blanket for the fundraiser,” said Hoefer. “Through our Donna’s Place program Catholic Charities provided the necessary materials and we chose a pink ribbon pattern that Alice loved. Working together, Alice and the group made the blanket and donated it to the fundraiser. The project was a complete success as the ladies enjoyed working together on the blanket, Alice was able to continue her tradition of donating a blanket and the fundraiser, which included other items as well, raised more than $700 for the Care and Share Oswego County Breast Cancer Group. It was a real sense of achievement for Alice and she is looking forward to making next year’s blanket.”
