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Community Corner

Clawson Woman Warms Homeless with Handmade Sleeping Bags

Helping Hands makes sleeping bags for those who must endure winter on the streets

Although the cold winter winds are still blowing outside, inside of the Troy Assembly of God Church on Livernois, the spirits are high and full of warmth. That’s where you can find Nina Morgan and friends, who gather each Thursday to share a cup of coffee, have a few laughs, and craft handmade sleeping bags for those in need.

Morgan, 82 of Clawson, began making the sleeping bags for the homeless 12 years ago as part of a women’s missionary group at the church. Traditionally, the ladies met for social occasions, but decided they wanted to do more to help their community.

“We weren’t interested in just lunching,” Morgan said. “We wanted to do something practical.”

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With that, Helping Hands was born. At first, five unemployed ladies sewed the sleeping bags together from old t-shirts and evening gowns. Today, the group has more than doubled in size, with members coming from as far as Ray, MI to join the effort.

“I love to do this,” said Billie Clendenin, 77, of Oak Park. “When I retired I got involved, because I like to do things for people who can’t help themselves. And this is a worthy cause.”

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The sleeping bags are assembled from donated fabrics of all kinds, from old comforters to terry cloth towels. The fabrics are cut into 84 by 84-inch pieces, lined with batting, sewn together, and secured with men’s neck ties.

The finished product is an insulated sleeping bag that is large enough to fit a mother and her child as well as some belongings in the bottom. The ties also double as straps so the sleeping bag can be worn as a backpack when rolled up. Each one takes roughly half an hour to construct, and the group makes about 10-12 bags at each weekly meeting.

They are then donated to the Detroit Rescue Mission, along with hats and gloves which Helping Hands also collects. The group takes donations of clothing and toiletries as well, which are given to the Baldwin Center in Pontiac.

Larry Brown, office manager at the Detroit Rescue Mission, says the bags are much appreciated by the homeless citizens the mission serves.

“They’re out there in the elements, so I know the bags are helpful to them,” he said.

The bags are delivered by a neighbor of Morgan’s, who works near the mission. They arrive on the second Thursday of each month, and after they’re given out, the mission washes the sleeping bags when their owners return for additional resources.

“Mrs. Morgan does a great job, they’re beautiful bags,” Brown said. “She is a sweetheart, and a blessing to anyone that knows her.”

Though Helping Hands is doing a lot of good now, Morgan is concentrating on the future. She would like to see more groups like hers started to keep the effort going after she hangs up her needle and thread.

“We can give [other groups] lessons, or work with them,” Morgan said. “We’re getting a little older, and the work gets a little overwhelming. But it has to continue, because people are freezing to death out there.”

Helping Hands is always taking donations of clothing, blankets and toiletries. They also need men’s ties and money for batting. To help, contact the Troy Assembly of God, 3200 Livernois, at (248) 689-1270.

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