Richland senior makes dozens of hats for Kadlec’s NICU

RICHLAND, Wash. — It’s April 30, the last day of National Volunteer Month, which happens each April. One local volunteer got hooked on crochet in more ways than one.

76-year-old Judy Alder has only been crocheting for about four years, she says. The southern gal, by ways of Greenville, Texas, has been at Brookdale Richland for six years now. While she makes all kinds of hats, she says her favorites are the tiniest ones that arrive at Kadlec’s NICU .

“At first, I made a baby hat and I didn't like it! And then pretty soon, I liked baby hats the best,” said Judy Alder.

From making hats for her fellow residents at Brookdale Richland, a senior living community, to the smallest residents at Kadlec Regional Medical Center, Judy likes to spread the joy of her creations to everyone. Especially, she says, the preemies.

“Nobody else made the preemie ones,” Judy explained. “So, I did.”

So far this year, she’s made at least 70 hats for Kadlec’s NICU, with no end-goal in sight. It doesn’t take too much time on the loom. She said it’s just about two hours to crochet one of the baby hats.

She explained that during the pandemic, she was inspired by one of the ladies at Brookdale Richland to make hats for the hospital, so that’s what she started doing. Judy explained the work gives her purpose, and helps to keep her active as a senior. Find information here about donating or volunteering with Kadlec.

It also gives her a special bond with the folks with the little ones on the way.

“When one of the girls gets pregnant and she finds out what she's having, I'm one of the first ones that knows, because she wants either a pink or a blue,” Judy said.

I asked Judy if she had any advice for someone who wants to get into either volunteering or crocheting.

“No, it's just a lot of fun, and you know it's going for a worthy cause,” Judy explained. “I enjoy it. It gives me something to do.”

Brookdale Richland is also hosting its Make It, Bake It, Sell It, which is a resident’s courtyard sale. There will be different booths with all sorts of things for sale, directly from the residents. All of the proceeds also go to the residents. Judy will be there, selling some of her hats.

That sale is happening Saturday, May 18, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at 1629 George Washington Way, in Richland.

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