Mom's crocheting helps support family

Rozale Johnson, a special-needs single mother of four children, needed a way to earn a little extra money to support her family.

What she didn't realize is that she could do it with something she is passionate about.

With the help of Debbie Bastion, a good friend, the two started Wrapped in Love, a project where community members can purchase white afghan baby blankets Johnson crochets for $100 each as gifts or to donate to local mortuaries for parents to bury a child with.

Many parents are comforted by burying their child with something special, like the afghans.

"I love children," Johnson said. "It feels good to know I helped, especially when a child died, to know (grieving parents) can wrap (the child) up in one of my blankets."

Johnson said it takes her around 20 hours to make each blanket. Dresses for baby christenings or blessings can take up to five months to complete. Although the majority of Johnson's blankets are white, she will make them in any color a customer requests. Some people even purchase them as heirlooms.

"Every family wants to have an heirloom ... they can pass on," Bastion said.

Some of the blankets have been donated to Primary Children's Medical Center for parents to take their children home in or use if their child dies.

Bastion said last Christmas she and her friends decided they didn't need to give each another gifts and instead combined the money they would have spent to purchase two blankets to donate.

"We wanted to do something that would be a more meaningful gift," she said.

All of the proceeds raised from the blankets go to Johnson to help pay for the needs of her children. Two of her children no longer live at home, but the two still at home have serious medical challenges. Money from the blankets helps pay for their treatment.

Johnson recently acquired a part-time job, which helps bring in some money, but her need is still great. She says she never knew she could make a living out of a favorite hobby.

"I never thought I could take a talent of something I love to do and use it to make money," she said.

Johnson learned to knit and crochet when she was only 8 years old, and her mother and aunt decided it was time for her to do so.

"I'm so grateful for my aunt that she helped me learn how to crochet," she said.

Bastion said Johnson's determination to take care of her family, without any support from her ex-husband, is inspiring.

"She just gives such encouragement to people," she said. "She wants to use the gifts and talents she's been given."

Anyone interested in purchasing one of Johnson's blankets can call her at 706-2070 or Bastion at 809-8099 or e-mail wrappedinlove07@gmail.com.

---

E-mail: twalquist@desnews.com