Neshaminy Manor’s Thois Kiel and Margaret Yaeger designed their own community outreach project, wanting to help a person in need in the county
The Times
As part of life at Neshaminy Manor, Bucks County’s nursing home, Thois Kiel and Margaret Yaeger designed their own community outreach project, wanting to help a person in need in the county.
Kathy Bates, director of activities at Neshaminy Manor, helped Kiel start her own knitting and crocheting group by collecting supplies and offering support. Kiel and Yaeger then created a red and black afghan collaboratively, by knitting individual squares on their own and then eventually assembling it all together.
Heather O’Donnell, assistant director of activities, then facilitated the residents meeting Robert “Woody” Wood of the Synergy Project to help them find a homeless teen to donate to.
When asked how she came up with the idea to make an afghan with another resident for a local homeless person, Kiel responded, “I like to give back to the community. I feel fortunate and blessed with my life. I feel for those without a home.”
Yaeger added, “It was fun doing this project. It kept me busy.”
Kiel and Yaeger enjoyed presenting the afghan to Wood, who discussed with them different circumstances and challenges of homeless teens in Bucks County and how he tries to help. Kiel and Yaeger then shared with Woody how they created the blanket and their compassion for the homeless.
Woody said, “The Valley Youth House Synergy Project is very thankful for the donation of the afghan for youth on the streets in Bucks County. We are thankful for the thought and time put into the making of the afghan.”
Neshaminy Manor is open to connecting with different communities and groups in Bucks County. To connect or volunteer with residents at Neshaminy Manor, contact O’Donnell at hmodonnell@buckscounty.org or 215–345–3211. ••
