What’s New at RiverWoods

Prayer Shawls Donated to Lancaster County Amish Families

December 1 , 2006

Five prayer shawls made by RiverWoods Senior Living Community residents were recently donated to the families who were victims of the Amish schoolhouse shooting in Lancaster County that took place in the beginning of October.  Five more shawls are being prepared and will be sent to the families of the children who are still in the hospital  in the near future.  All of the prayer shawls donated to Lancaster County are colored dark purple, dark green, and black and are approximately 24” x 60” in size.  Shawls can be used for comfort after a loss or in times of stress, for coping with medical procedures, during bereavement and prayer or medication, or countless other reasons.

The Prayer Shawl Group of RiverWoods meets on the first Wednesday of every month with about 12 to 16 residents in attendance at each meeting.  Constance Cammer, a resident; and Karla Mitchell, Community Service Administrator, coordinate all prayer shawl efforts.  So far, the group has donated 63 prayer shawls to whomever they feel is in need of prayer, including friends and family of RiverWoods residents, staff, and the community. 

 “The activity of creating prayer shawls is important to me because it allows me to show concern for other people,” Constance Cammer remarked.  “It is also a meaningful way to spend my time.”

Some of the materials used in making the shawls are donated, others are provided by RiverWoods or by the individual making the shawl.

We would be happy to have new members and to receive the names of anyone who would be a potential recipient of a prayer shawl.