Sharon LeRoy spreads love one blanket at a time

There is a growing body of research that reveals the health benefits of crocheting, knitting and other needle crafts.

The skill – a simple-to-take-up hobby in the sense of needed materials, but also complex because of the wide variety of knots and stitches used and the vast array of things that can be created – can help relieve stress, reduce blood pressure and fight depression and anxiety, as well as improve dexterity and hand-eye coordination. During the Covid pandemic particularly, with many people facing an increase of free time with shut-downs and other restrictions, the popularity of such crafts began to skyrocket.

As the world returned to business as usual, people held on to their needles and hooks, and are using their creative side to bring solace to themselves and happiness to others. A cursory glance across the internet shows countless webpages and social media accounts dedicated to spreading the joy of such crafts.

One Dublin woman, Sharon Puckett LeRoy, picked up crocheting during the pandemic. It was an activity she remembers learning as a little girl, taught by her mother who was well skilled with thread and yarn; but, like many childhood habits, she set it aside for other pursuits, like studying to become a nurse and raising a family. Upon relearning the skill, LeRoy said she found crochet stitching “therapeutic” and it helped her refocus her mind.

Sharon Puckett LeRoy has a heart for caring for others. The veteran nurse starting crocheting during the pandemic, using the craft as a type of therapy. Each finished blanket is given to someone as a surprise gift/**KYLE DOMINY**

“It is so repetitive,” she said. “It’s the same thing over and over, you can’t mess it up. It’s a mechanical process that became therapeutic for me.”

LeRoy, who said she is more organized than creative, began making blankets. Then came an idea of what to do with the blankets.

“I didn’t need the blankets, so I started giving them away,” she said. “I enjoy serving others and helping others smile, so I thought, let me make them and give them away. I wanted people to see Jesus in me.”

The 60-year-old has a heart for helping others. She has enjoyed a long career in the medical field, serving as a nurse for nearly three decades. LeRoy has worked at the Carl Vinson VA Medical Center for about 20 years. On nights and weekends she continues nursing via the telephone for Atrium Health hospice care. LeRoy has also served at the hospital, and taught classes at what is now Middle Georgia State University.

At first she made blankets for family members and neighbors. Then she crafted comfortable coverings for her pastors (she is an active member at Dudley Baptist Church). Thirty some odd blankets later, co-workers, patients and friends have shared the surprise of receiving one of the hand-made items.

“They say ‘Is that for me? Really?'” LeRoy said. “You can tell it makes them feel special, and that makes it worth it.”

It takes about six to eight weeks, give or take, depending on her schedule, for LeRoy to crochet a blanket big enough for someone to cozy up on the couch with. Blankets are all she makes for now, though she did try her hand at making a hat for a grandchild.

LeRoy plans to retire from her nursing career next year, but has no intentions of slowing down. She hopes to use any newfound free time to continuing serving people. Besides continuing to share her homemade blankets, she is interested in reading to elementary school students, helping women fighting addiction and using her nursing skills to help people interpret medical information.