At 100 years old, a Volusia County woman has continued to give back to children who are less fortunate in Africa.

  • DeLand woman, 100, has been knitting for about 91 years
  • Charis Clerico knits blankets for children in Africa
  • "Whatever I can do, I'm glad to do it," she said

Charis Clerico cares for infants she's never seen.

"I have been knitting since I was 9 years old," Clerico said.

 For 91 years, Clerico's fingers haven't stopped knitting. Her doctor nominated her as the Everyday Hero as he watched the work she has put in for many years to help others. She strategically sews colorful blankets from pink, blue, white, and multicolored yarn.

"I make three panels for each baby blanket," she said.

The blankets are sent to a church in Ohio and then mailed to a hospital in Mali, Africa, for infants as a part of the Alliance Christian and Missionary Foundation.

"Many times, when a baby goes home from the hospital, this blanket is what they use on the ground as a bed until they get a little older," Clerico said. "I had never been in a place where they would be put on the floor. I often think of that as I make these quilts and I pray Lord, use that for you."

Clerico sits in her room chair at the Alliance Community for Retired Living in DeLand as she knits daily. Clerico said knitting is her piece of Heaven while helping others.

"I come back from lunch and I pick up what I'm doing, this is unusual because I'm knitting with a round needle and I can learn to do this just by feeling. Whatever I can do, I'm glad to do it," Clerico said.

Clerico is a retired director for the mentally disabled but still giving selflessly at 100 years old. Despite surgeries, arthritis in her knees, and even the loss of a child and her husband, she pushes forward.

She said she gets through life by being independent, her sense of humor, playing bingo and her faith.

"If I drop a stitch, then I have a problem," she said.

Between her hard work, she manages time for a social life and goes to church every Wednesday morning.

"I'm not alone that God is with me," she said.

Clerico keeps several magnifying glasses tucked in drawers and her sewing material basket. Even though her vision isn't as sharp as it once was, nothing stops her from knitting. She's been teaching herself to knit without looking.

"I would sit here and try not to look and I would have to feel that stitch. I was afraid my eyesight might give out on me. If I kept practicing, then I could knit," Clerico said.

Clerico said helping the babies and others are worth the work.

"Anything I could get a pattern of, I would try to make it and give it away for other organizations," she said.

She said she didn't keep up with the number of blankets she has made over the decades.

"I have never kept track, I wouldn't even guess," she said. "I just sit here most of the day, just pick this thing up and keep going."

Clerico also makes blankets for people who are in wheelchairs. She celebrated her 100th birthday surrounded by friends and family in February.


(Brittany Jones, staff)