By Ken Gaidziunas

Staff Writer

It's Thursday morning at the Calvary Baptist Church Mission Center in Anna.

Amidst lively conversation, and lots of laughter, there is serious work in progress as crochet needles, in expert hands, go round and round. Another busy day for the Ladies Mission Outreach members.

"It's always been a dream of mine to do this type of work," said Alice Deak, organizer of the group.

The group, led by Deak and Carol Murphy, includes Janice Molford, Avonne Jacobsen, Kay Srader, Shirley Hamitel, Kathi David and Kaye Graf.

"We crochet and distribute many different items," Deak said. There are blankets, caps, booties, sweaters and more for the preemie and bereavement departments at Medical Center of McKinney, Plano Medical Center and Baylor Regional Hospital.

"We make hats and scarves for the Christmas Angel Tree at Texas Star Bank," continued Deak. "Last year we made 300 of them, one for each name on the tree."

Then there are lap throws for nursing-home residents. "My mom went to a nursing home, and I saw the treatment the residents received back then," Deak said. "I always said one day I'm going to do lap covers."

The ladies also crochet afghans for military personnel in rehab as well as helmet liners for the troops.

"This is the fourth year we are doing this," said Deak of the group that meets every Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. "I'm very proud of our girls."

Reading from her notebook, Deak gave a weekly update to the group: "As of today we have done 113 lap throws, 126 scarves, 15 toboggan hats, 45 premie blankets and five preemie hats."

Where does all the yarn come for all these projects?

"When we first started, between my mother and myself we had at least $800 worth of yarn," Deak said. "We could have opened our own Wal-Mart."

A couple of years ago the group held a bazaar, selling baked goods and a variety of crafts which raised $500.

But the proverbial cupboard is bare, and the Ladies Mission Outreach is looking for donations of yarn or monetary contributions. And, of course, they certainly would like to welcome some new members.

Anyone interested in joining the group (The ladies can teach interested parties how to crochet) or in making a donation can contact Deak at 214-606-5391.