Sandra Brook, a member of the West Hartford Senior Center in Bishops Corner, has been leading a knitting group that creates and donates items to area charitable organizations. 

Sandra Brook. Submitted photo

Submitted by West Hartford Senior Center

“It’s a great feeling to give back to the community that you live in” said Sandra Brook of West Hartford. Brook has lived in town for 45 years and has been knitting with the West Hartford Senior Center Knitting Group for several years. Brook has family nearby and keeps a very busy social calendar. In addition to knitting at the Senior Center and Temple Beth El, Brook enjoys reading, playing bridge and golf, and she is the volunteer treasurer for the West Hartford Taxpayer Association.

Brook has been a Senior Center member for five years and not too long ago, she was invited by Senior Center Director Gina Marino to lead the Knitting Group.  The Knitting Group meets at the Senior Center on Friday mornings from 9-10 a.m.

“We have a very social group of women, with diverse knitting skills, that join us. We help each other and are always looking for additional knitters. Since some women prefer to knit from home, we don’t always see all 20 Knitting Group members on Friday mornings.”

At Brook’s suggestion, the Senior Center recently asked the West Hartford community for donations of unwanted yarn, knitting needles and polyester stuffing. “We never expected to receive that large of a response,” said Brook with a huge smile. “Our seniors do not have to buy yarn for the next few months, the community has been so generous to us. Our center closet is currently overflowing.”

Brook and the Knitting Group members enjoy sharing their talents with individuals and communities in need. To date, the Group has donated handmade scarves and hats to My Sister’s Place, Hartford Hospital & the Children’s Hospital, Hebrew Home Hospice, Gifts of Love and Charter Oak Academy. Most recently, Saint Brigid’s School has been receiving leftover yarn pieces from The Knitting Group. The yarn will be used for crafts and knitting instruction.

For more information about the Knitting Group, or to learn more about some of the many other classes, events and activities of the West Hartford Senior Center, please visit www.westhartfordct.gov/leisureservices or call (860) 561-7583.

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