Mary Dippolito, 77, loves two things: biking around Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania and her crochet work, she told WNEP.
The elderly Pennsylvania woman spends her time in retirement crocheting hats for needy children.
“I do it by touch, ‘cause when you get old your eyes get strained easy,” she said.
Dippolito’s daughter died last year, so with no one else to “give” to during the holiday season, she decided to crochet for other people’s kids. Her work helps her “feel good” and overcome the loneliness, she said.
Images of Dippolito’s bike show a basket full of colorful yarn and finished products.
Dippolito crochets for 40 hours a week, making everything from afghans to hats. She sends them to local catholic social services that then distribute them to needy kids to help them get through the long, harsh Pennsylvania winters.
“I feel like ‘cause I’m old, you know, I don’t want to be just sittin’, rockin’ away or watching TV,” Dippolito said. “I don’t like to be useless.”