Rosebridge community gives hugs with shrugs
Monday, December 12, 2005 -- Natalie Miller
Residents who don’t have a gift under the tree this Christmas are guaranteed a warm shrug.

Family members and staff who knit took on the task of making residents shrugs – a shawl with sleeves – and Rosebridge Manor is expecting 21 of them to be ready for Christmas. The director of care (DOC) at the Jasper long-term care home, Karen Bajinski, was hoping for six.

“Warmest Christmas wishes is a very appropriate greeting at Rosebridge,” says Karen.

“I am so pleased with the results. To date I have received 19 shrugs and two more on the way.”

Karen, a knitter herself, albeit a self-proclaimed slow one, came up with the idea in January while she and her colleagues were brainstorming this year’s Christmas gifts for residents. “It came from the fact that some residents don’t have family members to buy for them.” Karen figured an afghan would take too long but a shrug, given nearly a year to complete, would be feasible. She advertised for volunteers in the home’s newsletter.

In her earlier days as a nurse, the shrug was popular. “It’s just to keep off the chill,” she says. “It’s particularly for people who have trouble moving their shoulders and arms.” Residents, specifically those who are bedridden or use wheelchairs, will benefit from the handmade gift, the DOC says.

Karen knit one, another staff member made four and a friend of Karen’s mother, who is 86, knit eight of them. “It’s a big time commitment,” says Karen. “I would like to take this opportunity to extend a big thank you to everyone involved.”

Karen had trouble locating a pattern for a shrug so she contacted Mary Maxim, a Canadian craft company, and explained what she was looking for. “They very graciously sent me a pattern and permission to copy it free of charge.”

The deadline to have the shrugs completed was Dec. 1. Residents will receive their gifts at the Christmas party Dec. 14.