Quincy Senior Residence Program’s Timely Gifts

from "Our Time At Home, Brooklyn and Beyond"

On the second day of winter, December 22, temperatures plummeted below freezing. But inside Bedford Stuyvesant’s Quincy Senior Residence, love and laughter kept the place warm and radiated all the way to East New York and beyond.

The Quincy seniors of the aptly named “A Stitch in Time” club crocheted more than 100 sets of colorful hats and scarves as gifts for families, children and the homeless.

That morning, Phyllis Hurd, Director of Community Relations, Bridge Street Development Corporation, hosted a breakfast reception, where some 30 sets – all of professional fashion designer quality – were given to Cheryl Todmann, Director, Community Relations, Brooklyn Bureau of Community Service for participants in their Transitional Living program in East New York.

“In the spring of 2008,” revealed Rhonda Lewis, BSDC President and CEO, “the seniors at the Quincy Residence developed a new club teaching one another each other along the way. “Over the past few months, they have created hats and scarves for the homeless families of the community.”

“In keeping with the spirit of the Christmas season,” added Hurd, “the Quincy seniors are sharing with the needy of the community their gifts of love, kindness and warm wishes with those less fortunate.”

“Gifts made by hand and from the heart are always very special and memorable said Ms. Todmann. “We at the Brooklyn Bureau of Community Service are so grateful to ‘A Stitch in Time’ for donating
these crocheted creations to the homeless, mentally ill women we serve at our Transitional Living Community in East New York. Donations like these remind us that even in these economic
times, the spirit of giving is still alive and well in the community.

“On behalf of our entire agency and the women we serve at our Transitional Living Community (TLC) in East New York, thank you so very much for your wonderful, perfect gifts for the holiday season. Our women will wear them well.”

In her compliments to the “A Stitch in Time” club, Ms. Hurd said, “The women of ‘A Stitch in Time’ know a great deal about the spirit of giving. They love doing this. It’s their way of helping the community.”

Senior Jean Benjamin said, “It is we who are blessed. We get more out of giving. By sharing, we acquire so much more, and it gives us satisfaction knowing we made someone happy, just as we are here at this place we call home.”

“Living here at Quincy Street Residence is like being with family,” said Ms. Carrie Agard, a skilled knitter, who lost her Pacific Street home in a fire set by an arsonist a couple of years ago. “I lived there from 1949 to 2006. I was married there and
raised a family, there. But during the fire, I was rescued in the dead of winter in my
slippers and nightgown; I thought I had lost everything, but I did not.
 
One crochet crafter came to Brooklyn from New Orleans, where she lost a home
to Katrina. “That’s material. People here wrapped their warm arms around me, and I
haven’t looked back.”

In the Photo: Hats Off to Quincy Senior Gifted Givers: Phyllis Hurd (far right), Director, Quincy Senior Residence, Bridge Street Development Corporation, joined the skilled, compassionate knitters and crocheters of the Residence’s “A Stitch in Time” club in donating handcrafted hats and scarves to Cheryl Todmann (4th from left holding mannequin), Director, Community Relations, representing the Brooklyn Bureau of Community Service’s Transitional Living Program for Women. “A Stitch in Time” club members seen here, are, from left to right: Gloria Robertson, Jean Benjamin, Lillian Brown, Carrie Agard, Gloria Ison, Raqueal George, Constance Jones (in rear), and Edris Solomon. Clubmember Georgia Triblet (unpictured) arrived later. Photo credit: Mark Stewart