A Permanent Homage to Pride, from our Lead Volunteer

Sue Bartash, lead volunteer for Central Maine Healthcare, is at it again. In the 14 years she has been volunteering here, Sue has managed to knit and crochet, literally, thousands of afghans. The majority of them, like the one she is working on now, are given to patients in the ICU to keep and take home. One of her creations, however, won't be leaving the hospital. Sue said, "I saw the article about Pride Month in our newsletter with a picture of the Pride flag flying outside CMMC. And, I thought - I can do that." So, Sue got to work and made a beautiful afghan with the colors symbolizing LGBTQ+ pride. The blanket has been framed and will be put on permanent display in the hospital. When asked why this particular blanket mattered to her, Sue said, "I had a cousin who was gay. He passed away almost 60 years ago. Things were different back then. There was no gay Pride flag or month. I spent an entire weekend crocheting that blanket, and the whole time I was making it, I was thinking about him."