by Ken Falter
About 10 years ago, Florence Falter became aware of a need for baby blankets and hats for small newborns being discharged from the Neonatal Unit of AdventHealth DeLand hospital. In many cases, the families had nothing but a towel to wrap the baby in. Working with the chaplain at the hospital, Florence began making and delivering these items to the hospital. Six years ago, upon moving to John Knox Village, she met a fellow resident whose granddaughter was a nurse in the Neonatal Unit and deliveries then went from Florence to her neighbor to the granddaughter and then to the Neonatal Unit.
Every so often, a thank you note is received from a grateful mother. These notes are heartfelt and touching.
Two years ago, the Mother and Baby Care Units were moved from AdventHealth DeLand to AdventHealth Fish Memorial in Orange City. Our John Knox Chaplain, Ray Bertrand, put Florence in touch with the chaplain at Fish Memorial and the project continued. Periodic deliveries continue to be made to Chaplain Beth at Fish Memorial. As word of the project spread at JKV, other knitters joined the effort and now, four of them are knitting for this wonderful cause. Florence knits blankets, Bev Schlecht knits hats, Maureen Dunham knits both blankets and hats, and Bonnie Biedermann knits blankets.