Eighty-year-old Dorothy Wilkes makes many people smile. Dorothy, from Mt Julian, is the talent behind the ‘Quota care bears’, donated to children at Proserpine Hospital.
Dorothy’s daughter and Quota service committee member Anne Lowbridge says the care bear project was originally established as a service to the community over 20 years ago.
“Before Mum came on board the club took turns knitting, stuffing, sewing up and wrapping the bears, but eventually Quota had so many projects and fundraisers we were getting short of time to do bears,” Ms Lowbridge said.
Enter Dorothy, whose previous experience includes knitting baby clothing and ladieswear for firms in Australia and the UK.
“I’ve always been a knitter and I love doing the bears. I try to make them all a bit different,” she said.
Each bear takes about eight hours to make and is gift-wrapped with a get-well message. The children keep their bears and Dorothy says their feedback has been very positive.
“It really makes it worthwhile.”
President of Quota International of Whitsunday Kerrie McCallum Coles said Dorothy’s care bears are “wonderful”.
“You’re never to old (or too young) to volunteer and help out,” she said.
In recognition of her efforts Dorothy has been ‘adopted’ by Quota and attends many of the service organisation’s events.
“Not everybody my age gets to be an adopted Quota grandmother, but more people could get involved. Age is no barrier,” Dorothy said.
Donations of new wool and stuffing for care bears would be appreciated. For more information contact Anne Lowbridge on 4945 1884.
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