Janet Woolwine and Sharon Reed sort through completed creations.
ABINGDON, Va. – Volunteer knitters and crocheters at A Likely Yarn Knitting and Crocheting Shop in Abingdon have been making blankets, toys, and gifts for local children and abuse victims. Participants have been using donated yarn to make needed items to help The Children's Advocacy Center (CAC), Victim Assistance Program, and Abuse Alternatives.
On March 9, representatives from the assistance organizations came together to applaud the efforts of the volunteers and Janet Woolwine, owner of A Likely Yarn. The event, held at the Abingdon Senior Center, was coordinated by Sharon Reed, Director of the Victim Assistance Program. Attending were Barbara Pittman from the Children's Advocacy Center; Abuse Alternatives Outreach Coordinator Donna Ferguson; Abuse Alternatives Director Kathy M. Johnson; Commonwealth Attorney Dennis Godfrey; Washington County Sheriff Fred Newman and Deputy Stephen Reed.
Donated crocheted blankets and baby caps will be used by one of the CAC prevention programs, Welcome Home Baby Special Delivery, which helps pregnant women and new mothers with special gifts, information and support. For more information on this program, call 275-645-5867.
Other items will go to Abuse Alternatives, Inc., which offers services to victims / survivors of domestic abuse or violence to those who reside in Washington County, Va.; Bristol, Va; Bristol, Tenn.; and upper Sullivan County, Tenn. They offer Emergency Shelter, Batterer's Intervention Programs, Victim/Court Advocacy; Community/Professional Education and Outreach; 24-hour hotline services; crisis intervention; and counseling services. For more information on Abuse Alternatives, call 276-628-6940.
Donated gifts will also go to the Victim Assistance Program, operated out of the Commonwealth Attorney's Office, to help victims of crimes connect with area programs that offer assistance. This program also helps guide victims through the criminal justice system as their cases are prosecuted. For more information on this program, call 276-676-4200.
If you would like to volunteer your time and your knitting/crocheting skills to this cause, contact A Likely Yarn at 276-628-2143. The shop is located at 213 Pecan Street in Abingdon, Va.
