Press
Badzioch, Lillian. “Hospital patient knits her way into the hearts of children around the world.”
September 24, 2009 @ 3:49 PM
A 92-year-old palliative care patient at St. Peter’s Hospital in Hamilton is ensuring that children around the world will have something to smile about this holiday season.
Rose Bobolo, who has a visual impairment, has knitted mittens, carves, slippers and stuffed animals for Operation Christmas Child, an International project of Samaritan’s Purse – an organization that reaches out to children who are victims of war, disease, disaster and poverty in remote corners of the world. Since 1993, over 38 million children in 120 countries have benefited from this initiative.
Rose says that she has been knitting all her life: “I’ve been knitting since I was a little kid. I’ve even made quilts and afghans for all of my 10 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and great-great-grandson.”
Jane Noble, a registered practical nurse at St. Peter’s Hospital, and her husband Dan who are the Southwestern Ontario Regional Managers of
Operation Christmas Child, have organized the annual charitable
event at St. Peter’s for seven years. “When Rose found out about the project, she immediately wanted to know if she could help,” says Jane. “It has given her a purpose each day. Even when the staff checks in on her at night, her hands still move like she is knitting.”
Staff and family members of patients at the hospital have been supplying the yarn for Rose. “It has really become a group project,” says Jane. “I am grateful to everyone who has made it possible for Rose to be able to continue doing something that she loves while
benefiting others at the same time.”
Rose’s scarves, mittens, and stuffed animals will be added to shoe boxes filled with toys, school supplies, hygiene items, clothing, hair clips, etc. donated to Operation Christmas Child. Donations can be made by anyone.
For more information about Operation Christmas Child,
please call 1-800-303- 1269
or visit www.samaritanspurse.ca.
Lillian Badzioch is in Public
Relations at St. Peter’s
Hospital in Hamilton.
