There are many ways to help the families and children served by the Martha O’Bryan Center.

For Wray Estes, it comes from her daily knitting and crochet work.

Each month, she meets with 10-15 others at the Brentwood Library. They talk, work on their knitting, and turn in what they have completed at home.

Last year, the group donated 60 hats for children and adults. Recently, they delivered 72 pieces (hats and scarves) for children that we distributed at our recent Winter Wonderland event.

“I enjoy creating. I don’t use patterns. It keeps your heart and mind in a good place,” says Estes, who has been knitting for others for 20 years. “It just makes you feel thankful for what you have and hopeful that others will benefit from what you’re doing.”

Room in the Inn, Nashville Rescue Mission, and more have benefitted from the group’s creativity over the years. Estes, whose parents were raised in East Nashville, added the Martha O’Bryan Center to the list.

“It’s all for our pleasure as well as the pleasure of giving. It makes you feel good,” says Estes, thinking about the smiling faces getting a new hat for winter. “I hope that they will feel the love and the warmth that we’re sending and be encouraged by that,” she said.

We’re grateful for all the ways you support our mission, from volunteering and donating to helping us spread the word about our neighbors in need.