TimeBank Event Offers a New Twist on Collaboration
The Nether-Swarthmore TimeBank has added a new twist — in fact, a lot of them — to its next potluck event. Group members will meet October 25 not only to share their usual fellowship and food, but also their knot-tying skills, as they spend time together making no-sew fleece blankets to be donated to Main Line Health’s Hospice program.
We’re calling the event “Sweets and Fleece,” since the potluck portion of the evening consists of desserts, rather than a full meal. The get-together will be held on Friday, October 25, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Swarthmore Presbyterian Church, 727 Harvard Avenue.
Participants will spend the first half of the event teaming up to put the blankets together in assembly-line fashion: some cutting fabric strips for the perimeter of the fleece pieces; some tying knots to bring them together; others hand-writing loving notes of support to the recipients. The hospice’s belief that “The blankets bring warmth and comfort to the patients and their families during a difficult time” prompted the event chair, Cindy Herring, to propose this activity. Once the blankets are finished, the group will enjoy each other’s company over desserts and beverages.
TimeBank has had other successful potluck events in the past, which helped bring the group together. But the Leadership Committee sought a way to take these gatherings to the next level in the community-building spirit of TimeBank. This event is really an evolution. TimeBank is all about neighbors helping neighbors. We usually accomplish that in more of a one-on-one setting, but this allows us to combine our efforts and help another group with a specific need.
The TimeBank concept enables neighbors to give their time and talents to help one another. Members go to https://nether-swarthmore.timebanks.org to post offers of help and/or requests for help. For each hour you donate, you earn an hour’s credit toward future assistance from another member with other talents. Leadership committee member Linton Stables, explains, “The TimeBank has three main goals: to strengthen the fabric of our community, to serve people and give them a means to serve, and to establish new relationships and meet real needs of our community members.”
The Sweets and Fleece potluck is open to TimeBank members and non-members alike. RSVP here. Those interested in joining TimeBank can do so at https://nether-swarthmore.timebanks.org.
