A movement is growing in The Villages to crochet together plastic shopping bags to create sleeping mats for homeless veterans living in the Ocala National Forest.
Betty Campbell of the Village of Santo Domingo is a “whiz” at making these light-weight plastic mats from the plastic yarn (PLARN).
She was recently honored for her work by American Legion Auxiliary Unit 347.
Campbell, who is not a member of the Auxiliary, has been crocheting mats on behalf of the group.
The mats are lightweight, keep the person using it up off the ground and can be hosed off to keep them clean.
The auxiliary has enjoyed tremendous support from local merchants who have donated thousands of plastic bags, said Auxiliary President Carol Pirone-Udell.
“You see more and more ladies making these mats,” she said. “It’s good to be able to help these people living in the forest.
