TENDER LOVING CARE

Tender Loving Care (TLC) is one of nine philanthropic programs of Assistance League of Albuquerque. The TLC committee is dedicated to providing knitted or crocheted hats and blankets for newborns and children and adults receiving dialysis or chemo-treatments, as well as knitted bra-inserts for breast cancer patients all at the University of New Mexico Hospital (UNMH). We welcome knitters and sewers from the community who would like to contribute their skills in these arts to the TLC program. It is not necessary to be an Assistance League member to participate. 

In 2021-2022, in the middle of the pandemic, 27 members and 4 community volunteers donated 2,033 handmade items to patients of all ages receiving care. About 2,000 pediatric and cancer patients at UNMH were recipients of this work. Additionally, at the start of the pan­demic, the TLC Committee determined to make 5,000 masks for children in Albuquerque Public Schools, and in the end more than 6,550 masks were donated.

This year the TLC Committee is beginning a new program to provide blankets to the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE) program.

ALA’s Tender Loving Care Program is Chaired by Pam Verstynen. She describes how many ALA member volunteers create new blankets and caps for newborns and adults in the hospital. Also highlighted is Barbara Temer, who is Director of Volunteer Services for UNM Hospital.

We also like to work with volunteers from the community who are not ALA members, but who would like to create blankets and caps for those who need them.

If you are interested, email Pam at tlc@assistanceleagueabq.org. There are guidelines given to us from UNM which Pam will share with you.