12 Seniors Awarded for Donating over 100 Articles of Clothing

Yesterday was a beautiful day to recognize a set of senior citizens who have helped design even more beautiful garments for the needy. On Thursday morning, guests and new outlets flocked to Maureen Collier Memorial Senior Center to watch 12 seniors present their hand-made creations to two local organizations – Hope House and Women Rising – and receive awards for their hard work. Awards were presented by Mayor Fulop, Council Woman Joyce Watterman, Joan Eccleston, administrator of senior affairs and Inez Frye, director of the Maureen Collier Memorial Senior Citizens Center.

Over the last several months these women have gathered together at the Collier Memorial Senior Citizens Center to crochet and knit elaborately designed garments such as: baby blankets, hats, gloves, purses, scarves, and shawls.

Mayor Fulop spoke proudly to the crowd and praised them for their hard work and dedication. “It’s seniors who are setting the example in so many ways. You’re all leading the way as an example of what we really think the city should be and every should be for that matter; that really is about people wanting to give and provide for others and no matter what you have [are] thinking about the broader community and how you could be helping others.”

They mayor explained that with labor day approaching and cold weather not being too far away that these items will have a meaningful impact on the lives of many.

Eleven of the twelve women who received these awards were Barbara Anderson, Inez Branch, Mabel Hodges, Frances Hubbard, Mary McBeth, Emma Richardson, Oneeda Stroy, Adele Stapleton, Fannie Sutton, Esther Whitaker, and Berniece Whitaker.

“Thinking of them all the time as Mayor Fulop said and giving up your precious time, I really appreciate it and on behalf of all the women at Women Rising, thank you from the bottom of my heart,” said Meg Paradise, director of fund development at Women Rising.