MANCHESTER, N.H.-- When St. Mary’s Bank employee Shirley Bhutto started a crochet club at work last January, she had no idea that she’d soon have more than 20 coworkers hooked on making hats and lapghans for area hospitals and nursing homes. Stitching is still going strong despite the constraints of social distancing, according to the credit union.
“We just finished making 100 hats for newborns that will go Catholic Medical Center and St. Joseph’s Hospital this week,” said Bhutto, who is St. Mary’s Bank’s director of ERM and compliance. “Employees are still making hats and lapghans at home and dropping them off.”
“It is little acts of kindness like this that make a huge difference for families welcoming a baby into this world – especially during these difficult times,” added Nicole Pendenza, Catholic Medical Center Director of Maternal, Child and Women’s Health. “We’re so excited to share this effort with our families and remind them that the community cares about them and their new arrival. We truly appreciate the generosity of St. Mary’s crochet club.”
Bhutto, who learned how to crochet at age 10, started a crochet club for charity at St. Mary’s Bank when some of her staff showed interest in learning the centuries-old craft. The club quickly expanded, with weekly lunch-time meetings becoming a social outlet for both new and experienced crocheters. Bhutto took it upon herself to coordinate projects for donation on behalf of St. Mary’s Bank.
“Shirley has turned a personal creative passion into a hands-on and inclusive volunteer opportunity that embodies the credit union mission of ‘people helping people’,” said Pamela Roy, St. Mary’s Bank’s senior vice president and director of human resources. “Even those who don’t crochet have gotten involved, donating crochet hooks and yarn to help out.”
“It's been great for employees from all areas and levels of the credit union to get together for an hour each week, to talk and learn a skill that helps you relax,” said Bhutto. “Some employees have noted they feel very ‘Zen’ while crocheting.”
Bhutto credits that aspect of crocheting for the club’s continued productivity, even in quarantine.