Sandra Pakin

Sandy has lived in Edgewater since 1969 and has been involved in community service since retiring in 2004 – most notably with the Emanual Congregational Stitching Ladies who she joined shortly after retiring. She has coordinated their crafting efforts for the past 12 years. The ladies have donated more than 1,000 items annually.

She is also a volunteer knitting instructor at the Edgewater library for people who want to learn this skill. Altogether she donates over 300 hours annually and still she continues to find new ways to help the community. During the COVID pandemic, she initiated zoom meetings to preserve the link among the group. The Stitching Ladies have found a way to maintain a sense of purpose and ability to contribute to society despite their advanced years.

Sandy’s sense of community motivates her to use her talent for the common good and to seek out others to support community needs. She feels that small but continuous actions affect the whole community. They not only enhance the quality of life of those receiving the help, but also helps the volunteers have an outlet for their talents.

Sandra Pakin

“The more you do, the more you get. The more you’re
involved, the more people are involved with you.”

Click here for the interview transcript and a short video.