Pound seniors stitch quilts for cancer patients

December 19, 2019

Hannah Bolling (center) with Community Physicians Oncology, Norton, visited MEOC’s main office in Big Stone Gap Dec. 12 to collect nine lap blankets lovingly handstitched by Pound Senior Community Site participants. The blankets will be included in care packages for local cancer patients. With Bolling are MEOC Nutrition Services Director Carrie Stallard (left) and Mountain Laurel Cancer Support & Resource Center Coordinator Dianne Morris.

When participants at the Pound Senior Community Site learned of a need for lap quilts to help comfort local cancer patients, they didn’t hesitate to help.

A group of ladies who are regular participants at the site, part of Mountain Empire Older Citizens, Inc.’s nutrition programs, handstitched nine cozy quilts to donate to Community Physicians Oncology, Norton.

Hannah Bolling, the facility’s community navigator, said the quilts will be included in care packages for chemotherapy patients receiving treatment there. “We are so very appreciative and thankful for this contribution,” said Bolling.

MEOC Nutrition Services Director Carrie Stallard said among program goals is to help seniors participate in community service projects whenever possible. “It gives them a sense of purpose and accomplishment to know they are making a difference. Their dedication, and time invested, is a testament to their love of others,” she noted.

MEOC transit driver David Kilgore and Pound nutrition site participants donated fabric for the project.

Participants at all of MEOC’s senior community sites are now working on hand-crocheted lap blankets to donate to the facility for future care packages.

For more information about MEOC’s community nutrition programs, contact Stallard at (276) 523-4202.

Provided by Mountain Empire Older Citizens, Inc.

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