New Lenox Nonprofit Helps Together We Cope, One Bead at a Time

Ladies in an area jewelry-making program are on a mission this month—Create 200 beaded bracelets to help a fellow nonprofit.

Members of the Trinity Services jewelry club are hard at work crafting bracelets for   scheduled for Feb. 24 at the in . But the effort is one that benefits more than just the two organizations.

Longtime TWC volunteers John and Pat Slack, of New Lenox, are buying the bracelets and donating them to the dance. They will then be sold to guests for $20 a piece, and each purchase includes a chance to win a diamond bracelet to be raffled during the evening.

“Everybody wins,” Pat Slack said. “The ladies at Trinity earn money for their program, Together We Cope raises , dinner guests get a lovely bracelet and some lucky lady walks off with a real diamond bracelet!”

Seventeen women in the Trinity Services program for adults with developmental disabilities gather in a New Lenox craft room each day to knit and crochet hats and scarves or make hook rugs, holiday ornaments or jewelry. Trinity Services includes a wide range of programs and services for children and adults, as well as a residential program.

Patrice Brice, of New Lenox, initiated the jewelry component when she came to Trinity about five years ago following a 30-year career in the jewelry business.

“We have women in their 20s through 82, and they love making pretty pieces for themselves or to give as gifts to each other on special occasions,” said Brice, who's the program's coordinator.

Kathryn Straniero, executive director of Together We Cope, which , said this year’s bracelet project is a special effort.

“I love that each piece is created individually by the women at Trinity," she said. "Purchasing one of their bracelets at TWC’s dinner dance becomes both a donation to our agency and a compliment to the hard work by the Trinity ladies.”

For more information about the dance, which includes live and silent auctions, , the Together We Cope website or call Karen Moran at 708-633-5040 or kmoran@togetherwecope.org.

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