Crafted With Care: Volunteer Crochets U.S. Army Throw for a Veteran Patient
Carrie Eleyet, a volunteer with Ohio’s Community Mercy Hospice, loves to crochet. She started crocheting when she was 10. Now, more than 50 years later she continues to crochet, making dozens and dozens of crocheted throws for family, friends and local organizations, including Ohio’s Community Mercy Hospice.
“I garden and crochet,” said Eleyet, a resident of Mechanicsburg. “When the gardening season is over, I crochet throughout the winter.”
Working with Volunteer Services at Ohio’s Community Mercy Hospice, Eleyet recently crocheted a U.S. Army tartan throw for an Ohio’s Community Mercy Hospice patient who is a Veteran of the U.S. Army. A Veteran volunteer presented the tartan throw to the Veteran patient during an American Pride® Veteran Care by Ohio’s Hospice recognition event.
“The patient was surprised that it was made for him, and he was very grateful,” said Tami Clark, volunteer coordinator at Ohio’s Community Mercy Hospice. “The patient wanted it placed on him immediately. He did not take it off because it made him feel so warm.”
Eleyet was honored to learn that the tartan throw, which measures 40 inches wide by 48 inches long, had been presented to the Veteran patient. She explained that the colors used in the tartan throw represent the uniforms – dark blue for the original dress uniform, black for the beret, buff for the summer uniform, light green for the original sniper uniform that is now part of the summer uniform, olive for the combat uniform, and gold for the calvary.
“Our volunteers make a difference each and every day in the lives of our patients and families,” Clark said. “Their kindness and generosity serving in each volunteer role is an honor to watch. I am honored to work alongside our volunteers. They each bring a piece of joy to those they volunteer with.”
Eleyet has been volunteering with Ohio’s Community Mercy Hospice since September 2021. She has served more than 900 hours making countless throws. Most recently she crocheted hats for hospice staff to take to patients.
In addition to crocheting, Eleyet collects any needed items that Volunteer Services at Ohio’s Community Mercy Hospice might need for patients. She reached out to her local dentist, and, with their support, she set out a collection box asking for donations of stuffed animals and newly purchased yarn for the not-for-profit hospice. The donated yarn is being distributed among the hospice’s volunteers who are crafters.
“This is an example of Carrie’s spirit of generosity,” Clark said. “We thank her as well as all our volunteers at Ohio’s Hospice for being all-star volunteers. Volunteering for hospice is joyful work.”
Volunteer Opportunities
Ohio’s Community Mercy Hospice has ongoing volunteer opportunities for the following:
- Volunteers to visit patients in their homes, assisted living facilities, or nursing homes.
- Veterans to support Veteran patients.
- Licensed hair stylists to support patients who need a haircut.
- Animal-assisted therapy teams.
Ohio’s Community Mercy also welcomes donations of newly purchased yarn.
To learn more about volunteer opportunities or to donate yarn, contact Tami Clark at 937.751.0883.
Ohio’s Community Mercy Hospice, a service of Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton, is a not-for-profit hospice founded in 2004. The community-based organization provides superior care and superior services for patients facing life limiting-illnesses in Clark, Champaign and Logan counties.
