Indiana —When community residents enter the Atlanta (Ind.) Library, they are met by friendly branch manager Mary Palmiero, a member of the Cicero (Ind.) Church. After earning master's degrees in German and education, raising four daughters, and teaching at the Cicero Adventist Church School and Indiana Academy, she now helps young people in Atlanta experience the joy of helping others as they learn new skills.
Wanting to involve children in community service, Palmiero sets aside Wednesdays as project days for the after-school crowd, teaching them crocheting and other crafts. As children come running into the library after school, they are enthusiastic and eager to start their projects.
The crocheting class has crocheted baby blankets for a local organization helping unwed mothers and provided 71 lapghans for a mentally disabled children's home and local nursing homes. Last year they crocheted an afghan which was sold at the town's Earth Festival, resulting in enough money to buy a much-needed color printer for the library. Christmas ornaments were also made and sold at the Earth Festival. One ten-year-old girl who started crocheting at the library won first place in the county 4H fair with the baby layette set she made and exhibited.
A 90-year-old Atlanta resident became interested in the club and made 130 lapghans for the nursing home and 30 for the children's home. Ladies from the Cicero Church have also helped make lapghans with the club. The Atlanta Lions Club was so inspired by the projects that they donated $250 for yarn for future projects. The young people plan to make cuddly blankets for state troopers to use in their work with children, and also plan to make dog and cat blankets.
Cicero member Patricia Thompson also works at the Atlanta Library and is project supervisor for Wednesday afternoon craft projects. Working with the children at the library and helping them learn to serve has proven to be a great missionary venture for these Cicero members.
Ramona Trubey, Cicero Church communication leader
