By Nance Ebert, Contributing Writer
Marlborough – The Marlborough Public Library has a very active teen program. Christine Amatrudo, the young adult librarian, is constantly coming up with creative ways to engage both her volunteers and the many young adults that enjoy participating in her programs.
“We had done a No-Sew Blankets Program and we were trying to figure out what we could do with the leftover scraps of fleece. We have many teens that also need to acquire their community service hours for National Honor Society and we brainstormed the idea to make no-sew scarves to donate. This was a really fun way to accomplish our goal,” said Amatrudo.
This program was called, “No-Sew Scarves” and each student was allowed to make a few scarves for themselves or to give as holiday gifts. All of the rest were to be donated. There were about 10 teens that participated.
Anna Morticelli is a student at Worcester State University and the youngest hospice volunteer for MetroWest HomeCare & Hospice in Marlborough. She is in her senior year and is majoring in biology and chemistry and is currently applying to graduate school for genetic counseling. She enjoys her volunteer work helping people in some capacity in hopes of getting some counseling experience.
“My connection to the hospice and volunteering came when I was thinking about some relatives of mine that were in hospice. I was not permitted to visit them there,” she said.
“At MetroWest HomeCare & Hospice, I feel like I can really make a difference with the people that are there. I can offer companionship. I can read them a book or just listen and just be there. Donating the scarves there was a great idea and I know that the recipients loved them.”
The teens were all excited about making the scarves. They picked the patterns that matched together and put in the work to help make this concept a reality. Morticelli was assisting Christine in the Young Adult Library at the time so this pairing seemed to be a great idea.
“We knew that the recipients would love the scarves,” Amatrudo said. “They are homemade by a member of the community and it just seemed like a perfect fit. Patty Carlson, hospice volunteer manager, was receptive to the idea. Now that I’ve connected with her, I’m wondering what other opportunities the teens will have. I’m already thinking of other ways we can all help make a difference.”
The teens that participate in the library’s programs love to do crafts and other creative programs. Some of these volunteer programs include the Collection Development Team where volunteers can look through reviews and suggest different genres and help build the library’s collection of books and movies. This group meets each month.
Another volunteer opportunity is called Event Planners, where the volunteers get to give input as to what types of programs they would like to see offered.
“Another popular volunteer program is called Window Artists, where they can paint seasonal designs in the Children’s Library,” Amatrudo explained. “The next one will be in February. It brightens things up. There is such a huge demand for volunteer hours that I try to offer many programs to accommodate the [Marlborough High School] students. I think the volunteers get a lot out of what they do here. They are doing something tangible, which I think is quite special.”
The teen volunteers on the No-Sew Scarves project received a lovely thank you card from Carlson, which made them feel really good about this project. She wrote, “Your donation is more than the scarves alone. We are privileged to be the go-between in sharing this gift of human warmth and kindness.”
