Last week, Ericka Sanborn, YCCAC volunteer coordinator and development manager, posted a Facebook message about the Knitting Group—the circle of women who gather each week at the YCCAC Spruce Street office site to knit hats, scarves and mittens for families in the community—running low on yarn. The message took off, reaching over 26,000 Facebook users, claiming 4,792 engagements, and most importantly, gathering 263 shares. There were 47 comments, including:

“I knit, crochet and loom hats and donate them to lots of places in memory of my son!! Hunters Hats would LOVE to donate.”

“Great work! My mom belonged to a group like this in Connecticut. Anyone know of a similar group closer to Eliot she could get involved with?”

“I’ll be over with yarn!”

“Way to go ladies!!!!! I see you Grammy! Great job!”

“Go Granny Go! Not just mine, but all of you ladies! Fantastic job!”

News Center Maine (Channel 6) picked up the post and added it to their Facebook page and website. Ericka’s phone started ringing, with callers from as far away as Raleigh, North Carolina (a knitting group there will be sharing their yarn) and the Edmunds Consolidated School, about 30 minutes outside Calais (the school will hold a yarn drive for the month of October).

The impact these volunteers have is far greater than one might imagine. They certainly provide needed assistance, in the form of warm clothing, to families in need. But they also inspire volunteers—and volunteerism. They have captured the hearts of all who know them, and they brighten our building, our agency, and our community with their joyful work.