Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country | Founded 05-05-05

January 25, 2007 issue

High Country Hospice Launches Covers of Comfort Support Group

Group Meets Mondays in Ashe, Wednesdays in Watauga

Story by Allison Peacock

High Country Health Care-Hospice began a creative new support group this month, Covers of Comfort, for those who have lost loved ones. Member Gail Gross coined the name Covers of Comfort and was also instrumental in getting the group off the ground. During each weekly meeting, members will teach each other different crafting skills such as crocheting, knitting and quilting.

According to Hospice Bereavement Coordinator Lisa Courtney, this group will take a new direction from the currently offered bereavement support groups. “We already have support groups, and this will provide an opportunity for members to make crafts while sharing memories,” said Courtney.

The group will decide on a different craft each month to create together. The group planned to start with crocheted afghans as the first “cover” to create for “comfort.”

Members will give their finished projects to hospice patients, and items such as shawls and fleece blankets “can then be shared with the person who is left when someone passes,” said Gross. The comfort provided by this crafting group will reach a range of community members, and the members have the opportunity to produce comforting crafts in memory of their loved ones. Members “wanted a chance to make something for patients,” says Courtney.

Gross plans to include a printed message along with the blankets the group gives away. These words of comfort will identify the blanket as a “portable hug” for children and encourage adults to “feel the comfort of our love.”

The first Boone meeting of the crafting group was January 17. Participants brought crafts that they had already made for a show and tell experience before moving to the actual craftmaking part of the meeting. These crafts, including blankets, hats, scrapbooks and quilts, overflowed from one table to the next.

Members were eager to share their abilities along with their memories. Nikki Johnson explained knitting basics with pens and yarn. Gross got members started on crocheting. Courtney demonstrated a unique way of quilting. As they shared their knowledge, members also shared memories and how crafting helps keep memories of their loved ones present in their lives.

Johnson learned to quilt on her own and has created several quilts, including one made from her father’s clothing that she displayed at the meeting. The quilt depicts a house he was working on when he died. She explained that it was a great way to lovingly remember her father and put his many clothes to good use as well. “Particularly his underwear,” she added with a laugh.

Scrapbooking is another craft planned for the Covers of Comfort meetings. Three members brought scrapbooks to share with the group. Gross, who lost her husband, explained that she worked on the book “whenever I needed some time with him.”

Becky Roark, decided to create a scrapbook from the pictures of a trip out West with her late husband. Putting the pictures in a scrapbook allowed her to relive the memories while creating a beautiful keepsake.

The group plans to be much more than a craft-making group. It is also a support group, and members exchange phone numbers and make plans to take each other out for meals and other events.

This group is open to everyone in the community. Anyone who is interested in helping others through learning and creating crafts while sharing time with others is welcome to attend. Each group meets weekly. The Ashe County group meets at 10:00 a.m. on Mondays, and the Watauga County group meets at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesdays. For more information, contact Lisa Courtney at 828-265-3926.