The Creative Hands Knitting Group of the New Jersey Council of Jewish Women, Essex County Section, has been supplying Livingston Philanthropies, Inc. (LPI) with “beautiful hand-knit warmth for more than half of LPI’s existence,” notes Jeff Friedman, LPI founder and CEO. LPI is currently in its 12th season of “providing for the homeless, profoundly poor and disenfranchised.”
“The artisan-created items include children’s and adult hats, lap blankets, dolls and more,” noted Friedman. “LPI volunteers have already made two big hand-knit deliveries this season to our long-time distribution partners, Newark’s Willing Heart Community Care Center and Newark Emergency Services for Families. Both agencies present free family giveaways, at which these specialty items are extremely popular and are actually requested by the needy clients.”
Friedman continued, “LPI salutes the Creative Hands Knitting Group and reminds Livingston neighbors about partnering with their local non-profit with community service projects. Whether a church, temple, service organization or the educational community, I invite entities to be creative. We welcome a diversity of partnerships, because our least fortunate citizens have a diversity of needs. And these needs continue long after the once ‘giving season” traditionally ends on January 2. Please send me an email at [email protected] to explore opportunities. Or I welcome our friends to LPI’s website at njhomeless.org.”
Photos: Barbara Kerner and Debbie Shelkowitz, co-chairwomen of the Creative Hands Knitting Group of the National Council of Jewish Women, Essex County Division, and group members hand-knitted winter hats, scarves, and other accessories for distribution to the homeless through Livingston Philanthropies, Inc. and its Newark distribution partners.
