Carewear is a nationwide non-profit organization based in Frederick, Maryland. Former Hood College professor, Bonnie Hagerman, the founder and president of this worthy organization, formed Carewear out of her home to support the local community. Her initial focus was primarily exquisite infant burial gowns given to grieving parents at local hospitals. Today Carewear encompasses hundreds of volunteers across America serving their local communities. Handknit, crocheted, or sewn items now include not only a wealth of infant care items but also hospital/nursing home aids for older children and adults. ALL items are made with love and given out for free.
Thyatira’s charter formed in 1992. Our donations are all labeled with a Carewear label stating the Thyatira chapter and the name of the person who made the item. We have supplied hundreds of items to Presbyterian Hospital’s NICU and Hemby Children’s Hospital. We have also donated items to the hospital in Mwandi, Zambia and the Presbyterian hospital in Rio Verde, Brazil.
Thyatira has expanded its outreach to our own members as part of our congregational care ministry. Home-bound, nursing home or rehab patients, people in extended care facilities, and folks facing an illness receive a handmade blanket from us, as do all newborn babies. We have made for and served more than members in the past two years alone.
The Thyatira group meets in Fellowship Hall on a drop-in basis each first Tuesday of the month between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. We welcome anyone to come join us who is able.