Despite the thunderstorm crackling at 7 a.m. on a Saturday in late March, Virginia Sanders still packs her car with bags of food and coffee supplies, boxes of yarn and a tupperware of name tags before she heads over to Lexington Baptist Church.
She arrives and sets out chocolate chip cookies and coffee, assembling chairs around tables in the Logan Family Ministry Center. As 10 a.m. approaches, she continues setting the scene for Covered with Love, a crochet group she founded at her church.
Sanders said a vision for the club came to her in a dream several years ago. Now about 25 women meet bi-monthly to crochet personal projects and afghans, which they donate to a nearby organization.
“This is what I feel called to do,” she said. “And I’ve always said that as long as the Lord is growing the group, I’ll continue to do it.”
Seven years later, she continues to share crocheting with the Oglethorpe County community. This year’s recipient of the group’s handiwork is Quiet Oaks Health Care Center. Administrator Chris Wrenn said it’s easy for some residents in long-term care to feel like they’ve been forgotten.
“When somebody comes and does something and makes a gift for them, it’s basically a gift out of love,” Wrenn said. “It does them a lot of good to know that somebody is still thinking about them.”
Sanders learned how to crochet from her then-mother-in-law when her children were young. She said it helps her relieve stress; it feels like an accomplishment to make something out of a crochet hook and a pile of yarn. Now, Sanders crochets blankets for her four grandchildren, passing down her love.
Sanders has lived in Oglethorpe County for 15 years, and she started attending Lexington Baptist Church in 2015. A former teacher and retired activities director for Alzheimer's residents, Sanders said her life now revolves around the moments when she crochets with her friends.
On that March Saturday, Sanders gives a warm welcome as Covered with Love members slowly trickle into the church. As the pile of names in the tupperware dwindles, Sanders looks around the room and commences the meeting.
A club member who is known as a fast crocheter needs assistance with getting more yarn. The members debate whether they should purchase more from Joann Fabrics or give extra from the group.
“Rebecca’s got brand new yarn, and she’s got lots of it because she was a hoarder with it when she first started crocheting,” Sanders says, as giggles erupt around her.
They plan a way to get her yarn — they don’t want to lose her.
When Sanders founded the group in 2016, she wasn't expecting it to attract 25 women. It began with three people. Then with the help of weekly Facebook posts on the group Covered with Love Lexington Ga, it expanded.
Leading all the crocheters is a time-consuming job. It requires answering phone calls, organizing meetings, supporting members and planning events like the annual taco party on Cinco de Mayo. She volunteers time and money. Everything is donated; they don’t receive any help from the church, and when they have to buy something, the group votes on it.
“I’m still overwhelmed with the response that has come and how much it has grown,” Sanders said. “It sometimes surprises me.”
If someone wants to learn to crochet, Sanders teaches them for free. She provides new members with a crochet hook, yarn, a folder with crochet directions, patterns, and sometimes scissors, if she has an extra pair. At Christmas, she gives everyone a tote bag.
“She will talk to anybody and she knows how to crochet and teach it, and that's what makes her special,” said Nancy Hodges, a longtime group member. “I don't think God would have given this to anybody else but Virginia.”
Rebecca Smith, an early member, recalls the first year as ambitious.
They planned to crochet 65 blankets with only 12 people in the group — a difficult goal — and they have since learned to not put too much pressure on themselves and let God lead them through their goals.
“We’re just here to love on and support these women and to reach out to the community and help the community and help them to know that they are loved,” Smith said.
During their meetings, Sanders hardly has a chance to crochet. After setting up, discussing business and directing prayer requests, Sanders patiently helps members with their projects.
“OK, yarn over,” she said quietly, peering through her clear-rimmed glasses, at a recent meeting. “OK, go through two.”
Teaching is where Sanders shines. She said she’s even willing to walk her members through crochet patterns over the phone. Those efforts, small and large, result in the afghans they donate.
Twice a year in June and November is “tag n’ bag” day. They put their Covered with Love labels on all of the afghans and wrap them in big plastic bags with a lavender dryer sheet for freshness.
“We're doing something that is very rewarding, and it's very therapeutic,” Sanders said. “I know it's helping these women.”
As the meeting comes to a close, Sanders promises to call one of the women sometime that week. Sanders carefully frees a friend’s hair from beneath her jacket, and sends her on her way, eager to catch up again next time.
This story is written by the Covering Poverty project, which is part of the Cox Institute’s Journalism Writing Lab at the University of Georgia.