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800-939-JUNK Residents Stitch Patriotism & Gratitude with Crocheted Blankets for Veterans
No. 20 Vol. 11
My Life Publications • 1-800-691-7549
November 2024
A
By Cheryl Conway group of residents at Paragon Village in Hackettstown are on a heartfelt mission to honor the military and veterans. Led by Brigitte Wagner, a resident at Bentley Commons at Paragon Village, and her daughter Monika Flaherty of Long Valley, the duo’s efforts have led to a crocheting club to create camouflage blankets. Their goal is to donate to troops overseas and local New Jersey veterans in time for Veteran’s Day on November 11 through Operation Jersey Cares. While crocheting is great for improving fine motor skills and provides a relaxing activity, Flaherty and Wagner’s tie to this mission is much more personal. “Brigitte and I are very patriotic, love the U.S. !” says Flaherty. “We are proud of her grandson, Steven Weippert, who served and retired as a Major in our U.S. Air Force.” Both born in Germany, they immigrated to the U.S. in 1963 but Flaherty did not realize until recently the reasons behind her mom’s passion to this cause. “Very recently my mother shared with me why she is so committed to this project,” says Flaherty. “As a child growing up in Germany during World War II, she, her mother and sister were refugees having lost everything,” shares Flaherty. “She remembers the American planes dropping supplies to them and how grateful they were for their help. I had never heard her share that memory and was very moved when she spoke of it.” Their efforts are linked to Operation Jersey Cares, a nonprofit organization that Flaherty has been volunteering for since 2010. After retiring as a floral designer in Chester, Flaherty has committed her time with Operation Jersey Cares, a 501(c)(3) run 100% by volunteers.
“A Mission of Love: Local Women Craft Camouflage Blankets for Veterans”
“Our mission is to support our military members deployed by sending care packages of needed supplies, helping military families in need, helping wounded veterans at various VA hospitals, and homeless veterans,” shares Flaherty. “Operation Jersey Cares aims to honor those men and women who provide us the blanket of freedom we all sleep so soundly under,” the mission states on its website. “OJC will continue to support those who are currently deployed, proud veterans, as well as our loyal military families. We organize fundraising efforts to meet our mission annually.” Realizing the work her daughter was doing, Wagner soon joined in the efforts. “Brigitte has supported my organization in an array of ways over the years,” says Flaherty. “Helping pack Cares
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packages when up visiting from Florida, where she lived for 30 years, giving monetary donations and crocheting blankets which have been dispersed to veterans, and occasionally gifted inside a care package for a deployed service member. “Now that Brigitte resides at Paragon, she has taken up a new project of teaching other residents how to crochet, several have joined in and they have a goal of making a blanket for each Veteran living at Paragon in time for Veterans Day on Nov. 11,” continues Flaherty. “The blankets are mainly camouflage, and lap sized in nature,” she describes. “A gift made with yarn that Brigitte has purchased and intended to show appreciation for the veterans who have served our country. She has spent countless hours on this current mission of love. “I am very proud of her and the joy she is bringing to those who deserve it most.” The website is www.operationjerseycares.org.
Free Thanksgiving Dinner 2024 Please come and Be Our Guest on Thanksgiving Day! We will be hosting a Traditional Thanksgiving Family Dinner for anyone who will be alone or any individual or family facing financial hardship on Thanksgiving Day at the Mt. Olive Senior Center starting at 12 p.m. Meal deliveries will also be available for drop off on Wed., November 27. MUST CALL TO RESERVE! Please call or text Mary at 973-768-1815 or email at mary.lalama@ gmail.com to reserve your seat now.