Long-standing patrons of many libraries in Westchester County are sure to recognize Joan Lloyd and her touring Crafts for a Cause programs where you can create a pair of earrings for yourself and for victims of domestic violence. You can check out her schedule of upcoming events included below. She will be at Crestwood on Friday, December 19th!
In anticipation of Joan’s visit to the Crestwood Library, Crestwood staff member Hanora Woodruff interviewed her so that patrons can learn a little bit about Joan, the Crafts for a Cause program, and how to help those in domestic violence shelters. The correspondence went as follows:
H: Can you tell us a bit about yourself? How long have you been hosting the Crafts for a Cause events?
J: I'm an 83-year-old woman and I've redefined myself several times. I was a computer systems designer, an 8th-grade teacher, an author, and a 25-year-long EMT. I've always been crafty, doing everything from knitting and crocheting to cross-stitching and latch hooking. I've been hosting workshops for almost 15 years, now leading 2-3 workshops a week (phew). I donate about 1400 pairs [of earrings] each month.
H: What made you pick earrings as your craft of choice for your library events?
J: When I started, I had a lot of bead jewelry that I could cut up, and earrings seemed to be the logical choice. I do all my donating by mail and the cost of postage is my largest expense. Necklaces, bracelets, etc., would cost considerably more to mail (more than the $250 a month I spend now).
H: For every two pairs of earrings patrons make, one pair gets donated to a woman in a domestic violence shelter. Obviously, in these women’s tumultuous lives, any help is appreciated. Could you elaborate on how the earrings help them and make them feel?
J: I like to think that every pair is a smile for a woman (or a kid) in a shelter. Yes, there are lots of kids. I called one shelter to help decide how many pairs I would donate each month or every other month and I asked her for her current population. She told me that she was a clearing house for several local shelters and the population at that moment was 75 women and 150 children.
H: What inspired you to donate to domestic violence shelters? How else can patrons help these women and shelters?
J: I heard a radio interview with a woman on Long Island who made jewelry that she donated to a local battered women's shelter. It sounded like something I'd like to do, but I wondered whether there were other shelters around. I googled Domestic Violence shelters in NY and NJ, and there were over 50. Good that they are there, but sadly they are sorely needed. That's where it began. As for other ways to help, folks can google a shelter in their immediate area and check their website. They usually have a list of items they need: toiletries, personal care items, and many need baby items like diapers.
We hope you’ll show up to help Joan with her crafting! Below is her schedule for the fall. She posts updates to herr schedule on her Facebook page. Be sure to save the date for her Crestwood visit on December 19th!
Dec 1 Mon 5:00 East Fishkill Teens
Dec 5 Fri 3:30 Ossining
Dec 6 Sat 12:00 Tappan
Dec 8 Mon 6:00 Hart
Dec 9 Tues 4:00 Mt. Kisco
Dec 11 Thurs 2:30 Will Library
Hanora Woodruff is a Part-Time Clerk and patron of Yonkers Crestwood Library since childhood. She recently graduated from Stony Brook University with a degree in Biology and Creative Writing. Her favorite reads at the moment are Sylvia Plath’s poems.
Alison Robles, a Yonkers native, received an MS in Information and Library Science from the University at Buffalo. She works at the Crestwood Library and is an avid reader with a passion for YA lit, historical fiction, and fantasy.