Close-knit group sews for charity

Yarn It knits blankets for needy children.

By: Candice leigh helfand
   MONROE — A group of township seniors is using their love of needlework to help children in need.
   The 25 women, all a part of a group called Yarn It, dedicate two hours every Monday to crocheting and knitting together. And while some of their crafts become gifts for friends and family, Yarn It also does a great deal of charity work — giving many of the blankets the women knit to Project Linus, which provides blankets for children in need.
   The group is looking to continue with its philanthropic endeavors.
   "We do a lot of charity work, a lot of knitting of blankets for Project Linus," said Elaine Bersak, who founded the group eight years ago. "We accept donations of yarn, and we use all of that towards charity."
   Charlotte Greenberg, a member of Yarn It, summarized members’ feelings during a short speech at the group’s holiday party Dec. 15.
   "You guys are a bunch of special ladies," Ms. Greenberg said. "Each and every one of you, in my way of thinking, are top shelf."
   Ms. Bersak said Yarn It "started out as only a few people, and it grew from there."
   She co-chairs the group with Ethel Erlek, who is credited with the blanket initiative. Ms. Bersak handles the crochet.
   "I’ve been doing it since the year 1," she joked.
   The group is geared toward the female senior community.
   "The average age of the participants is well over 70," Ms. Greenberg said.
   Jennifer Sternberg, who has worked for 16 years as program director for the Office on Aging, noted that forming an organization such as Yarn It only takes an idea — one that the center helps turn into a reality.
   "I know this saying by Benjamin Franklin, and it goes, ‘Ideas are funny little things that don’t work unless you do,’" Ms. Sternberg said.
   Such was the force behind Yarn It.
   "Just through word of mouth and a need to do some kind of craft, this group really took off," Ms. Sternberg said.
   The women in the group are what make it truly special, though.
   "It’s a nice bunch of ladies," Ms. Sternberg said. "They’re very sociable, so it kind of blossomed, stitch by stitch if I may."
   "We have a very nice group; we’ve all become friends here," Ms. Bersak agreed. "It’s just lots of fun, and I enjoy it."
   For more information on how to donate supplies to Yarn It, contact the Senior Center at (732) 521-6111, or visit www.monroetwp.com.