Scarf Bomb Jax leaves scarfs on Blanding for the homeless
ORANGE PARK – Volunteers with the nonprofit Scarf Bomb Jax spend most of the year knitting scarves and hats that are given away when cold weather approaches. The group selected a portion on Blanding Boulevard near Wells Road because it is where many homeless live. The scarves and hats are left on a guardrail and they are quickly taken by those trying to escape the cold. Dan Costello is one of the volunteers and he delivered a new batch last weekend.

Middleburg woman crochets blankets, booties, hats for Orange Park Hospital NICU babies

ORANGE PARK – Despite battling with osteoarthritis and being chair-bound, Middleburg’s Janet Goulet spent more than 800 hours last year crocheting baby blankets, booties and hats for babies at HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. It is a project she started 14 years ago. Through her many years of battling the illness, her hands have never experienced arthritis. She attests that miracle to all of the crocheting she has done for our babies. “I am committed to crocheting for Orange Park Hospital, NICU department every year that I am able. It is my passion to do for others. This story is not about me. It is about parents of newborns who are in the NICU for their First Christmas. It is also about precious new babies,” Goulet said. “I pray over every item privately and ask that these babies get well and can bless their families as ‘littles’ who deserve a fighting chance. This brings me to the Caretakers of these newborns. It is a ‘calling’ in my opinion and takes a special heart to care for the babies. Thank you for entrusting me to share in this small way. It is truly from my heart and my honor to do for the NICU babies and their families.”