At Abe’s Garden Community – a senior‑living campus that includes independent living, assisted living and memory‑care units – volunteers are turning a simple recycling drive into a tangible act of compassion. Led by longtime resident and former teacher Judy Miller, residents have been crocheting mats from donated plastic bags to provide warmth for people who are unhoused.
From Plastic Bags to Warmth
Rosebank Elementary has been collecting clean plastic bags for the project. Miller and a group of fellow residents sort the bags, then crochet them into blankets that measure three feet by five feet and weigh about five pounds. “They are five pounds of warmth,” Miller explained, holding up a finished mat. Each mat requires roughly a thousand bags, and the colors vary depending on the store that supplied the bags – even the occasional colorful dog‑poop bag finds a place in the design.
Partnering with The Bridge
The finished mats are being donated to The Bridge, a nonprofit whose mission is to alleviate the suffering of under‑privileged children, the unhoused, and the poor by providing life‑sustaining resources and a message of hope. “The Bridge is a beacon of hope for those in need,” said its CEO Jennifer Ranson. Miller’s crew delivers the mats directly to Ranson, who praised the effort as a vivid example of neighbors helping neighbors.
Community Impact and Faith‑Based Values
Both Abe’s Garden Community CEO Susannah Dwyer and resident Sherry Stein highlighted the project’s broader significance. “We have full‑circle involvement in our community,” Dwyer said, noting that the seniors are not only receiving care but also giving back. Stein added, “For some of us, our children, we are their role models. It’s not enough to wait for the world to come to us; we go out and try to make the world a better place.”
Upcoming Good As New Sale
To further support The Bridge’s efforts, Abe’s Garden residents will host a Good As New sale on December 10. The event will feature donated clothing, costume jewelry, baked goods and other items, with all proceeds directed toward feeding hungry children through The Bridge.
Why This Matters
In a time when many communities are looking for practical ways to address homelessness, the Abe’s Garden project demonstrates how local volunteers can turn everyday materials into life‑changing resources. The initiative also reflects the Christian principle of serving one’s neighbor, a value that resonates deeply with the residents and staff of the community.
For those interested in contributing, the Good As New sale offers a simple way to help, while the ongoing crochet effort welcomes additional plastic‑bag donations. As Miller put it, “Once a teacher, always a teacher” – and in this case, the lesson is one of compassion in action.
Original reporting: NewsChannel 5 WTVF (Scripps) – local — read the source article.
