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Issue 3 of CraftSanity Magazine is now available.
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Proof That Craft Makes The World A Better Place
A couple weeks back when I thought my column writing days were numbered, I had a bit of a panic because I came very close to blowing my opportunity to write about one of the nicest people on the planet.
A newspaper reader had sent me a tip about Bob Roskamp, an 82-year-old West Michigan man who crochets blankets for charity, and I took my sweet time following up. As the clock ran down on my old newspaper contract, I knew I had to move fast if I wanted to make good on my promise to write about Bob.
I reached Bob the day before he was headed out of town and I still can’t believe he agreed to do an interview on such short notice. A couple hours after my initial call I was in his kitchen. He got out some of his blankets and showed me the albums where he keeps photos of all 400 plus blankets that he’s made for charity. His crochet skills are impressive and his passion for helping others is inspiring.
If he can stitch hundreds of bed-sized blankets to give away to orphans, I can’t help but wonder what could happen if more people approached charity crafting with even half as much gusto.
You can read Bob’s story here. It ran in on the cover of Monday’s edition of The Grand Rapids Press.
If you know about an extraordinary crafter like Bob, please let me know. My column is continuing (Yay!) and I’m always looking for inspiring people to write about.
Have a great day!
Posted: January 25th, 2012 under Charity Crafting, Craft Columns, Crochet.
Comments: 10
Comments
Comment from Janet Wilson
Time: January 25, 2012, 2:21 pm
What a great story! Thanks for sharing it with us Jennifer!
Janet
Comment from Lona
Time: January 25, 2012, 4:02 pm
Love this story; kudos to Bob! I could NOT believe that a story about crocheting landed on the front page of the Press. We Have Arrived.
Comment from jennifer
Time: January 25, 2012, 6:16 pm
Amen, sister!
Comment from miranda
Time: January 26, 2012, 12:40 am
What a great story. I love it that his wife weaves in the ends. I hate that part. Bet it was super fun to spend some time with him :)
Comment from Brandi
Time: January 26, 2012, 6:46 am
what an amazing person! I am floored by his productivity and compassion.
Comment from Julie
Time: January 26, 2012, 7:24 am
What a wonderful heart, he saw a need and helped. And learned from that lesson, that the need still exists so he uses his time well and is productive. What a great lesson, to use your life to help others. And how! Inspiring.
Comment from melissa
Time: January 26, 2012, 8:15 am
this is a fantastic story! do you have any info on how to donate yarn to support his cause? congrats, jennifer, on your front page story!
Comment from weaverknits
Time: January 26, 2012, 2:35 pm
Lovely story and AMAZING blankets! Not only is Bob sweet and generous, his blankets are also works of art! I wish I were a charity so that I could receive the one on the left, wow!
Congrats on your continued work with the press, too. They need you!
Pingback from Reading: Some Favorite Links in January
Time: January 30, 2012, 5:31 am
[...] Allendale Man Crochets Every Time He Sits Down Jennifer told me this story in person and I totally teared up. There’s a follow up with a sweet photo on Jennifer’s blog here. [...]
Comment from patti
Time: February 7, 2012, 2:22 pm
Thanks for introducing such an extraordinary man, loved it.
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