Author: Leslie Toldo
Gerri Roth has been crocheting and knitting for most of her life, and she loves doing both.
“My mom was a home economics teacher,” Gerri said. “She taught me when I was a kid and I really enjoyed it.”
While she continued to crochet and knit throughout her life, Gerri had much more time for both when she retired.
“I started going to the senior center in Flushing, where we meet weekly to knit and crochet,” Gerri said.
During one of those sessions, another woman approached Gerri and suggested a way she could use her beloved hobby to give back to the community. She invited Gerri to join the McLaren Flint auxiliary and participate in the knitting and sewing committee called Annie’s Group. They make things to sell and raise three to four thousand dollars a year for the hospital.
“I like to make things, but you can only use so many knitted or crocheted things in your house, so it seemed like a good idea.” Gerri said.
Annie’s Group makes a variety of products, like kitchen towels, baby gifts, and hats and scarves, then sells them in the hospital in the gift shop and at two large sales events every year. Gerri’s hair salon even sells some of the items for her.
“The hospital uses the money we make for various projects,” Gerri said. “We have helped cover the cost for Hospitality House guests who cannot afford to pay, to cover the cost of 3D mammograms for those who need it, and heart huggers for open heart surgery patients.”
In the last year, Annie’s Group has branched out, offering painted and sewn products along with the things committee members knit or crochet. They even get handmade items donated for their sales from people in the community.
“Sometimes the volunteers pay for the supplies we use to make things, and sometimes we get donations,” Gerri said. “We meet every week at the Flushing Senior Center, but our official committee meetings are once a month at the Hospitality House.”
What Annie’s Group would really like are more members. Many volunteers left during COVID and didn’t come back. Many moved out of town or passed away.
“We would love to have some more people help,” Gerri said. “All you need to do is sign up for the Auxiliary and go through hospital training. Once you join, you just let us know you want to be part of Annie’s Group.”
The next Annie’s sale is November 7 and 8 in Dining Room 1 in the ground floor cafeteria at the hospital.
“We will have a lot of fall color and holiday items,” Gerri said. “You will see baby clothes and hats and scarves for adults, children, and babies.”
If you would like to learn more about the Auxiliary and how to join, you can call (810) 342-2009 or click here.