Light-reflecting caps and reflective tapes make children in traffic better visible at dusk and in the dark. Residents of the residence Am Schemer have knitted children as part of a national campaign for Darner.
Actually, the action is called yes “retirement homes bring children to shine”. But first, the senior women from the residence Am Schemer in Earnest brought their gifts to the kindergartners. As part of the national action of the Teeter Foundation Switzerland, seven senior women in the Schemer have knitted 24 colorful caps and 17 headbands, which they handed over to the Darner Kindergarten on Tuesday at the Ala Che. More will follow until all kindergarten teachers in Earnest have such a cap.
“The special thing about this knitwear is that it adds a reflective fabric to the wool,” explains Susanne Jeanne, Team Leader Activation at the Residency Am Schemer. The caps and headbands are therefore more visible in road traffic at dusk and in the dark and improve safety for the children.
Knitted in Switzerland over 6000 caps
The campaign is part of the campaign “Exemplars shine” of the Teeter Foundation Switzerland, which works to ensure that older people stay independent, self-determined and active for as long as possible. The campaign also turns seniors into role models for future generations. “In fact, our residents have sensitized themselves to the action and recognize that reflective clothing is also important to them,” says Susanne Jeanne. “Some have knitted caps for their own grandchildren.”
The Foundation’s campaign is in line with the umbrella campaign “Made visible” of the Touring Club Switzerland TCS and the Advisory Center for Accident Prevention BFU, which is also dedicated to “Visibility in Road Traffic”. “We are overwhelmed by the success of the knitting action,” says David Fuchs, public relations officer of the Teeter Foundation. “More than 100 nursing homes, 22 omen’s associations, and 108 individual women have knitted about 6,000 caps and headbands over the past few months. Far more than we expected. “The Foundation provided samples, wool, and yarn. Alone in Schemer, nearly 100 balls of wool were needed.
Knitting is good for fine motor skills
“Seeing how the children are happy makes me feel really happy,” explains Irene Bream, for example, who puts the caps on to the bright kindergarten teachers themselves. She has knitted about 30 pieces of hats and headbands. “<Holism> has been my hobby since I’ve been in a hurry,” she says smiling, saying that it was really fun – all the more because it is for the safety of the children.
Manual labor is just one of many activities that are offered to the residents in the warmth. “Knitting is good for fine motor skills. And because you never forget it, it’s ultimately important for your self-esteem, “explains Susanne Jeanne, and says that in Schemer many men in the handicraft group join in as well.
The kindergarten teachers thanked the ladies present from the Schemer with songs and a chocolate heart and visibly enjoyed the photo session with their new caps and headbands. “But the caps are no competition to your light triangles, which you usually carry on the way to school,” said Hubert Schema, head of the administration of the residence Am Schemer, the children. “You are a supplement. It’s best to wear both and always be brilliant role models! »
The knitting group of the Enfranchisement Bacchanal also took part in the event. The “Ismael women” knit 17 caps for a school class. They also handed over the caps on Tuesday to the children of class 2b Bacchanal in the hope that the lighthouses protect the children in traffic in the dark.