A Greensboro, North Carolina, mother and son duo is doing their part to give back to some of the most vulnerable people in the area. For the past three years, Martina Armijo has knitted hundreds of booties and hats from inside her WhiteStone Care and Wellness Center home. Her son, Enrique Armijo, takes the donations to Cone Health Women’s & Children’s Center to be given to children in the neonatal intensive care unit.
Martina, who is 88 years old, is a former seamstress who moved to WhiteStone four years ago to be closer to her son, who’s a law professor at Elon University.
“She has all different colors of yarn, and every three months, we just send over a couple of boxes for her to fill,” her son Enrique told WFMY-TV News. “She starts right back up filling the boxes.”
The Retirement Benefits of Donating Time and Talents
Martina has suffered from Parkinson’s disease for more than 20 years but still finds joy in giving back and creating these works of art for families. Cone Health says they’re fortunate to have community volunteers like Martina and Henry who support babies’ needs by creating these items.
“Ms. Armijo makes adorable matching booties and hats that we share with many babies who are born at the Women’s & Children’s Center at Moses Cone Hospital,” said Guest Relations Director of Cone Health Vivian Langley. “The work she does brings joy to many. We are so grateful Ms. Armijo shares her time and talent with us.”
The nurses at WhiteStone retirement community have also developed a unique relationship with Martina and even donate yarn for her creations. Martina takes special orders for gifts for the nurses who do so much to keep her active and engaged within the community.
Studies show knitting has a measurable effect on calming anxiety and relieving stress. The activity has been linked to seniors feeling calmer and happier. Similarly, seniors can experience better cognitive health when they volunteer their time and talents.
“It’s always been a big part of who she is, and I’m just really happy she’s figured out a way to continue to be able to do that,” said Enrique. “It’s really all her. If I’ve learned anything about helping people and doing things for people, it’s because of what she taught me when I was growing up. So one of my jobs now is to help her continue doing everything she enjoys doing.”
Senior Living Communities Like WhiteStone Can Help You Stay Active
Life at WhiteStone in Greensboro, NC, is filled with on-site opportunities that allow you to engage in senior fitness classes, life-enrichment opportunities, and socialize with neighbors and friends anytime you like.
Residents choose what interests them, and they do as much (or as little) as they like. Our newly expanded Care and Wellness Center is 5-Star rated by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. As a Medicare-certified community, WhiteStone exceeds industry standards in the areas of staffing, inspections, and 15 different physical and clinical measures assessing quality of care.
Our lifestyle empowers residents like Martina to take charge of their wellness and build purposeful social connections. We’re here to help you navigate your senior living search. Contact us today to set up your free personal visit and see the difference for yourself.