Everyday Heroes: 'Happy Hookers' crochet group keeping people warm this holiday season

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Nancy Kolasinski is proud to tell you she's a "Happy Hooker."  And before your mind starts to wander here -- it's a knitting and crocheting group. Over the last year, they have done some amazing work. 

"Hats, mittens, scarves, animals," said group leader, Nancy Kolasinski.

The tables at the Menomonee Falls Community Education and Rec building are piled high.

"Oh my gosh, this year there was just a little bit over 1800," Kolasinski said with pride.

More than 1,800 handmade items, all knitted and crocheted over the course of a year.

Kolasinski oversees the massive project.

"Nancy, when she speaks, you listen," said Barbara Riehle with a laugh.

She's only 4'9".

"Her size doesn't mean a thing. She's got the size of a giant," Riehle explained.

And a personality to match.

"Well, who are you? My name is Nancy Kolasinski and I'm a 'Happy Hooker,'" she said with a smile in her eye.

That's right -- "Happy Hookers."

"I mean how much fun is that? I've had so fun much with that title throughout the years," she said.

More than 30 years, in fact.  She solicits donations of colorful yarn so her knitters and crocheters can get to work.

As she jokingly says, it keeps them off the streets.

"And they are really heroes. Honest to God. They do such wonderful work," she said.

Each small stitch is a part of the work that makes a big impact.

When I tell people I'm going to the luncheon for the "Happy Hookers," it's you know, it shocks everybody," said Riehle, who works with the Falls Area Food Pantry.

Widge Liccione is the food pantry's executive director.

"When you see clients cry out of joy, it touches my heart," Liccione said.

The food pantry is one of several organizations packing up pieces for their clients.

"It's difficult for them to come for food, and yet now they get a gift that they weren't expecting, from people they don't know, who care about them," Liccione said with emotion.

Kolasinski's "Happy Hookers" are already working towards next year's donations.

"I just love to see it and I'm so glad we can help people," said group member, Ingrid Wehber.

And if you see Nancy on the street, there's a good chance she'll be asking you for yarn.

"I tell them what we do, where we go. Give them my phone number. You know, I can talk to strangers now, I'm old enough, she said. "I love it. I just really love it."

Warm Up America and the Sit N' Knit group work with the "Happy Hookers" to put on the year-end donation we went to. Zablocki Center, Froedtert, Shop with a Cop -- those are just a few of the many organizations that benefit from it. And they are always looking for yarn donations. The Menomonee Falls Senior Center can help with that. Click here for contact information.

If you'd like to nominate an Everyday Hero, send Natalie a message at [email protected].