Winthrop Auxiliary board members and life-long friends Nancy Peretz and Maryanne Edwards have always loved to knit. In 1997, they decided to start a project that would utilize their talents as well as the talents of others who enjoy knitting and crocheting to benefit Winthrop and its youngest patients.

"Winthrop is a very giving institution and the Precious Purls project provides community members with a unique opportunity to give back to the Hospital," said Mrs. Peretz.

The Precious Purls project is a community-based initiative that provides knitted hats and blankets to premature babies in Winthrop's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Through the generous support of friends, individual donations from Auxiliary board members and the Garden City Stitches store - which provides the materials - a cadre of community members ranging from Girls Scouts to seniors can knit and crotchet for this special cause.

"The Auxiliary of Winthrop-University Hospital is grateful for the dedicated efforts of Nancy and Maryanne who continue to make this program possible along with so many community members," said Ronnie Renken, President of Winthrop's Auxiliary. "Their contributions to the Precious Purls project have touched the lives of so many people - young and old."

Since its inception nearly a decade ago, the Precious Purls project has donated thousands of hand-made hats and blankets to new mothers and their babies at Winthrop. For information on the work of the Auxiliary or Volunteer Services, please call Winthrop's Volunteer Office at (516) 663-2391.