Why I do What I do, especially today.

Two years ago today we lost my “Granny”. She was a tough lady. The toughest. She endured MS, a broken spine and so much more with a smile and good will towards others. She taught me what it means to endure hardship and not let break it you, even when you are broken physically. Losing her really threw me. Since her passing and the passing of some good friends in the recent years, I have had to figure out how to keep them in my memory without breaking down into tears every time I thought of them. So, I now ask myself “What would ______ do?” when I am feeling overwhelmed. When #covid came, I was very overwhelmed. I tried asking Lou— but he said to grab a drink. I tried asking Jodie, but she said to go on vacation. So I asked Granny. And immediately I knew my answer— stop focusing on myself and start focusing on helping, in any way you can. That is always what Granny would do. She couldn’t physically help, so she would help in any way she could. She would start a prayer chain, set up a food delivery for someone in need, she would crochet masks, and I’m sure she would have gotten out her sewing machine— so that’s what I did, and that’s when Project Warmth started. In my mind I call it “Carole’s Club” as I know Granny had a big part in bringing me to this point in my life. A point in life where I remember the values she taught me, instead of the values the world has pushed on me. A point in life where I see that spending a few hours a day sewing masks to send to people I will never meet is more important than decluttering the house or ever finishing the whole series of Dexter. I see that spending time helping others will make you happier than time spent helping yourself and I see that through action you can calm your own fears— as a person with multiple “underlying conditions” others not wearing masks scared me— so I decided to take away some of the barriers to not wearing a mask. I’m sure Granny would agree that ALL people have a right to be protected no questions asked. I am thankful to have had such a wonderful role model in my life. I haven’t updated the count of masks donated from Project Warmth for a while, but we are well over 500 donated. Through “Carole’s Club” we have helped the young, the old, and everyone in between. I have filled requests from SPCA volunteers, dentists, Home Care Agencies and individuals across the United States. They have gone to help the Navajo nation, homeless in Washington DC, and all the way to troops in Turkey. People have requested for themselves, their families and their elderly neighbors. People have said thank you for offering these for FREE, as they had no idea how they would otherwise get protection. People have helped by donating money, fabric, masks, packaging and more. PEOPLE make this project worthwhile— and I hope to be able to help as many people as possible, because that’s what Granny would do. Pic: 50th anniversary. Grandpa is holding 25th anniversary photo. Granny is holding wedding photo.