Many hands for warm work

By Kath Gannaway
IT’S hard to believe right now, but winter will come.
In Warburton a group of craftspeople have called themselves “Winter Warmers” and their sole purpose is producing new quilts, rugs, blankets, winter clothing and accessories for families in need.
The group recently received donations of $500 from the Warburton Community Bank, and $300 from the Yarra Junction Community Opportunity Shop, and they have had tremendous support from local businesses and St Andrews Church.
Corinne Vaswani said forming the group was a direct response to a need in the valley.
“What we hear from major support agencies in the valley indicates that there are many families desperate for assistance to clothe and keep their children warm in cooler weather and while we are into the warmer time of year, in order to ensure a good supply of items in time for next winter, much more work needs to be done.”
Ms Vaswani said they are looking for people to join Winter Warmers and help produce the items.
“While materials are plentiful, there are only a few workers at present and they doubt that they will get enough items before winter,” she said.
Volunteers didn’t have to be a master craftswoman, or man for that matter, Ms Vaswani said. Many different tasks went into the different items and there were jobs for all levels of skill – or none.
One of Ms Vaswani and her colleague’s favourite sayings is, “Many hands make light work”.
To become one of the many hands helping to ensure families in the valley will be snug and warm throughout winter, phone Corinne Vaswani on 5966 5627.
The group meets at St Andrews Church hall in Warburton on the second Wednesday of each month from 11am to 3pm.