People from all over Hernando County gathered in a room at The Grande in Brooksville Sunday for one purpose: to help the homeless.

  • Volunteers at Mats for a Missions crochet blankets
  • The blankets are made out of plastic yarn created from grocery bags

Eileen Katrick started the group after seeing a YouTube video about crocheting mats out of plastic yarn -- called 'plarn' -- for homeless people to lay on.

“When I found out that there are so many homeless families in our community, I thought it was important to do something," said Katrick. "That's why I decided to reach out."

Now only weeks into the project, Mats for a Mission is beginning to catch on.  

“It makes me feel really good because I know I'm helping other people and kids my age," said 12-year-old volunteer Travis Moyer.

It takes up to two-and-a-half weeks to crochet a mat and up to 700 plastic bags.

“They are light weight, bug proof, they dry quickly," said Katrick.

The group has paired up with non-profits and plans to begin giving out their blankets to the county’s homeless children first.

“In this economy it can happen to anyone," said project coordinator, Dianna Seijas. "A severe illness, dad can't work anymore, mom's been a stay at home mom, she can't make the mortgage payment. It can literally happen at any time to anyone."

With each mat this group hopes to make life a little brighter. They’ve already set big goals to make 500 mats by the end of the year.

Mats for a Mission is looking for volunteers and donations of materials.

The group meets on Saturday each week from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at The Grande.

For more information contact Eileen Katrick at 443-829-5290 or Dianna Seijas at 352-247-6582.