Page 48 - May Sun Rays flipbook

Bag Ladies helF
the homeless

By Jaime Calder

Faye Yates (above) helps to fold hundreds of plastic bags, which will be cut into long strands of plastic “yarn.”

They call themselves the “Bag Ladies.” half inches wide. These strips provide the are interested and numerous talents
3ODVWLFEDJODGLHVWREHVSHFLÀF² SODVWLF´\DUQµ²RU´SODUQµ²IURPZKLFKWKH have dedicate their time and effort.
the more, the better, for these ladies mats are made. Once the plarn has been Unfortunately, numerous people are also
are transforming your everyday grocery prepared, it is crocheted with a large hook in need, so the group is always looking for
bag into something unexpected: sleeping until, over many hours, an entire sleeping more bags and more volunteers.
mats for the homeless. mat is created.
Operating out of Wellspring United
The project began with a want to do more It takes approximately 700-1,000 bags to Methodist Church in Georgetown, the
for the world around us and to help those in FUHDWHRQHPDW²WKDW·VSODVWLFEDJV group works with Church Under the Bridge
need. A simple want - but for Denny Mason, WKDWZRQ·WZLQGXSLQDODQGÀOO0DWVFRPH to provide meals and Gospel services
the path to helping humanity wasn’t quite in two sizes: Adult, measuring 4’x6’, and along with their handmade mats. Though
so clear. While visiting her sister in Baton Child, measuring 3’x5’. The mats are the group is still quite new, Denny says
Rouge, Denny vented her frustrations. lightweight, soft, durable and resistant that they are already seeking out other
to moisture. In cold, windy weather, the organizations with whom they might
“I wanted a way to help,” remembers mats can be wrapped around oneself like partner. Where ever the group may direct
Denny, “but I just didn’t know what I a blanket. Because they are plastic, they its efforts next, they are sure to remain
could do. I’m just one individual.” Her sister are easy to clean and quick to dry. Each enthusiastic about the project’s efforts and
lit up, and began to tell Denny about a can be rolled up for easy transport, and the the successes they have had thus far.
small group at her church which had come Bag Ladies have even equipped each mat
together to clean, cut and crochet plastic with a thoughtful carrying strap. “We feel like a whole community is coming
bags into lightweight, reusable sleeping together on this,” says Fran, who adds
pads for the homeless. Fran Bray and Jami Dewees are the that many residents of Sun City Texas
crocheting experts of the group, and have expressed to her their support and
“I was so intrigued,” says Denny, “that have been helping to teach those in the appreciation for the project. And it’s
when I returned home, I started talking group unfamiliar with the technique. communities such as this that are crucial
to a few people at my church about doing The interlocking loops of crochet are to the Bag Ladies’ overall goal: making
this as a project. A few weeks later, we met particularly well suited for the task as they life better for someone else.
DVDJURXSIRUWKHÀUVWWLPHµ produce a dense mesh of material that does
not easily come apart. “We need to help people more than we do,”
Transforming unwanted plastic bags into says Denny, “and we need to take better
sleeping mats takes considerable time and This swiftly assembled group has been care of this wonderful earth. Anyone can
effort, but the Bag Ladies are up to the blessed with numbers: numerous plastic help, wherever its needed.”
task. Each bag must be smoothed, folded bags have been donated, numerous people
and cut into long strips, each three and a $Q\RQH²HYHQDQLQGLYLGXDO

46 | SUNRAYS MAY 2016 ONLINE: SCTEXAS.ORG