by Betty Bardswich

Mindemoya—The Mindemoya United Church Pastoral Charge has initiated an outreach program to service people from Manitoulin to Sudbury to Africa.

The church women, from Mindemoya and Providence Bay, meet every Thursday afternoon from 1 to 3 in the common room at Sparrow’s Nest. With a great deal of fellowship and laughter, the participants are busy making plastic milk bag mats, which keeps out dampness and some cold, for placement under sleeping bags for the homeless. Eight of these mats went out last year and there are another eight ready to go now, which is pretty phenomenal when one considers that it takes 500 milk bags to make one of these pads. Pillows are also supplied with the sleeping bags. It is surprising how comfortable these are as they are filled with the plastic tabs from milk bags. And, as member Brenda Fenerty explained, the plastic mats last for 15 years and do not rot. She herself made four mats last year and four this year while her husband Ed has made the frame for making the mats with Alvin Sloss making another one.

The women also knit pneumonia vests, which are sent to countries in Africa with high elevations. Many of the children there do not have clothes to wear and these knitted goods help to prevent illness. Other knitted items include mitts, hats, gloves, scarves and socks for distribution where needed and also squares to make lap robes for the Canadian Cancer Society. As well, Marian Sloss will be approaching the others about making single size quilts as she can see a need for it in the community.

“And we are reaching out to more than those just in this room,” Ms. Sloss said. “There is a woman in the Manor who knits for us.”

The group welcomes anyone who would like to join and help out. As well, donations of the larger outer milk bags are needed as well as scraps of material, any wool, and jeans. For more information, call Ms. Sloss at 705-282-2816.