Hats off to 'em Local knitters make more than 200 hats for cancer patients BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer EDISON - With a goal of making 200 knit hats for cancer patients, an effort that began in October, a group of ladies from the Catholic Campus Ministry at Middlesex County College have reached their goal - and more. "We did not think it was possible to get done," said Laura Norek, a project assistant in the Office of School Relations at the college, and also one of the knit instructors for the group. Evelyn Kelton, an administrative assistant in the academic advising office, is the other knitting instructor. The group reached their goal of 200 knit hats on Dec. 11, and as of Dec. 18, they have made 222 knit hats of all sizes, including some sets of hats and sweaters for babies. "I called up Saint Peter's University Hospital [in New Brunswick in October] and they told us to make whatever we could," said Norek. Blanca Serrano, coordinator of the Catholic Campus Ministry, added that the various sizes of the hats are fitting for the project. "Cancer hits everyone, whether it hits preemies, a child, or an adult," she said. The group - which consists of Kelton; Norek; Serrano; Izabela Jedruchniewicz, lab coordinator in the engineering technologies department; Diane Gruskowski, secretary of the Department of Hotel, Restaurant and Institution Management; Lynne Lee, curriculum management specialist in the Office of the Registrar; Heather Connors-Urban, recruiter in the Office of Admissions, and Savitri Yanamandra, lab coordinator in the Department of Chemistry and Physics - delivered the knit hats and sweaters to the hospital on Dec. 20. The idea began when Serrano and Norek were sitting at lunch, and Norek suggested knitting for a cause. "Every fall, as part of the ministry, we hold a drive, whether it be coats, blankets, socks. … We also had a drive for the adult detainees at Middlesex County Adult Correction Center [in North Brunswick]," said Serrano. The group started out with a few knitters and crocheters and has since grown. "We had help from Edith Adams, who is 92 years old, whose daughter called us and said her mother can't walk anymore, but is alert and can still use her hands to knit, and Mary Breef from my parish at Holy Trinity in Perth Amboy," said Serrano. The group meets from noon to 1 p.m. every Tuesday in room 202L in the Technical Services building to knit and use yarn from leftover fabric to what they can find on sale. "[To meet the goal], we also did a lot of knitting on our own time," said Norek. "My family and I went camping, and I was knitting in front of the camp fire." The group also made a trip to The Yarn Shop at Kraemer Textiles in Nazareth, Pa., and said they hope to continue the trip. "You get to go on a 'History of Yarn' tour, which is very neat," said Lee. The group said since the project was a success, they look to continue knitting every Tuesday. "We want to do something with the military," said Norek. "They said there is a need for sailor caps and socks for the military men and woman overseas." If interested in joining - new knitters are welcome - or to make a donation, call Blanca Serrano at (732) 906-2586. "We are looking for students who are interested, as well," said Serrano.