Celebration of Gifts from the Heart

The guests of honor at a recent exhibit weren’t just the people – they were their works of art. Nine handmade afghans took center stage at a celebration to mark the end of the knitting season at Duncaster, as well as the 29 Duncaster residents who created them.

The exhibit of the finished afghans showcased the creativity and heart of their creators. These women meet weekly from January to June to knit the squares that make up the afghans, stitch them together and crochet the edges. The fruits of their labor go to residents of three local nursing homes (including one on the Duncaster campus), who use them as lap robes. Each of the finished afghans is identified with a label identifying it as “A handmade gift from Duncaster Outreach Knitters.”

This year’s donation of the afghans brings the group’s total to 360 afghans since the program began in 2006. “As a member of the Bloomfield community, Duncaster is socially accountable and this ongoing project is part of that effort,” says Vanessa Giannasi, Duncaster’s Director of Foundation and Community Relations. “Our goal is to actively participate in the health and vibrancy of the region. In this case, that donation is a personal one – from one of our residents to an individual in a nursing home. Duncaster residents also support the community through donations to local non-profits and by giving their time to community efforts such as tutoring Bloomfield school children.”