Prayer Shawl Ministry donates to Head Start

The members of the Prayer Shawl Ministry of St. Joseph Parish of the Panther Valley recently donated over 200 handmade hats, scarfs and mittens to the children of PathStone Carbon County Head Start.

Julianne O’Gorman said it was a three-week effort by 15 members of the group to create all the items for the children.

“The joy of making something that we knew the children would be happy with was such an all-out effort,” she said. “To see how happy they were to choose what they liked was an experience that made our hearts glad.”

Those who participated included Ann Marie Stauffer, Mary Hnat, Barbara DiMattia, Jackie Lawrence, Julianne O’Gorman, Pat Matika, Barbara DeLay, Ginny Maini, Barbara Sommers, Jane Infante, Linda Figura, Dorthey Kuhn, Sharon Kracum, Anne Zuber and Mary Ellen Ogozalek.

The group then traveled to Head Start and hand delivered the items just in time for Christmas.

“These ladies worked so hard to get this donation done in three weeks,” said Tiffany Bryant, Head Start center administrator. “The children really enjoyed picking out their own hat/glove or scarf.

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart and all from all the staff at PathStone Carbon County Head Start for this grand gesture.”

The Prayer Shawl Ministry is a group of people who create shawls and lap blankets for those who are in a nursing home, are homebound or just someone in need of comfort. Each shawl is blessed before it is given to a person.

To learn more about the ministry or if you know someone who may need comfort through the ministry, visit www.stjscatholicchurch.org/prayer-shawl-ministry or contact Mary Ellen Ogozalek at 570-645-3719 or mog246@yahoo.com.

Donations of yarn, needles and patterns are always welcome, and the group will resume meeting after the holiday season concludes.