After forming in 1963, senior volunteer seamstresses, knitters and quilters continue to serve the Aurora area.
The Kennedy Unit of Kane County Home and Community Education, about 20 former female homemakers and two spouses, meets weekly at the Montgomery Fire Department to sew, quilt and knit projects for community groups.
The unit was formed and named in honor of president John Kennedy after he was assassinated in 1963 in Dallas.
Home and Community Education is affiliated with the University of Illinois, the National Volunteer Outreach Network Inc., Country Women’s Council, U.S.A. and the Associated Country Women of the World. The aim is to educate members of communities and to promote social and economic well-being in neighborhoods.
In March, Kennedy Unit members Mari Curless and Naomi Redman, Unit president, attended the 98th annual Illinois Association for Home and Community Education Conference at the Thelma Keller Convention Center and Holiday Inn in Effingham.
Kennedy Unit meetings were held at the Aurora home of longtime member Marliss Hutchinson until 2008 when the group moved to the fire department.
A typical meeting opens at noon with volunteers pursuing craft projects. They include fleece blankets, knit caps, “fidget” quilts, drool rags, catheter covers and bags for walkers and wheelchairs.
About 2 p.m., crafters sample homemade desserts and hold a business meeting.
Completed projects are donated to local schools, nursing homes and other agencies.
Unit officers are Naomi Redman, North Aurora, president; Marlis Hutchinson, Aurora, vice president; Mary Ann Wagner, Montgomery, vice president; Dee Kellen, Aurora, secretary; Sandra Basista, Aurora, treasurer; Mary Stevens, Aurora, volunteer hours coordinator; Junia Epperson, Aurora, materials coordinator.
Other members are Mari Curless, Aurora; Ellen Bass, Montgomery; Mary Fatten, Aurora; Joyce Harner, Aurora; Lesley Beary, Aurora; Pat Fennell, Naperville; and Laura Milligan, Montgomery. Male members are Joe Beary of Aurora and Don Catchpole of North Aurora. Joe Beary contributes designs for bags.
For more information, call Redman at 630-340-6027.
—Al Benson