Brenda Garner has been volunteering at Central Carolina Hospital for 39 years, longer than any currently active volunteer. Chances are, if you’ve had a baby here, you’ve received one of her trademark knitted baby caps. She has probably made over 10,000 of them over the past four decades.
“It’s been like a ministry to me,” Brenda said. “I ask the Lord to bless that newborn life, to let it be saved and to honor Him.”
The beanies are blue for boys and pink for girls, of course. Except during the holidays, when they are red with a white pompom on top. She knits scarves and prayer shawls as well.
Brenda was taught how to make the baby caps by another volunteer, Mary Perry. They met every Tuesday at the hospital until the skill was passed along. She has been doing it faithfully ever since.
She created a photo album of baby photos mailed to her over the years from grateful parents. “They are so precious to me,” she said.
Brenda’s volunteer spirit extends to other parts of the hospital as well. She worked at the Information Desk for 20 years until COVID-19 hit. She has served as co-chairman of the Breast Cancer Advisory Committee for the past 10 years. And she has served on the hospital’s Patient Family Advisory Council since it started in 2018.
A native of Sanford, she has also been active in her church, Grace Chapel, and volunteered in the school where her three daughters were educated, Grace Christian School. She and her husband, Junior Garner of Sanford, who worked in forestry for 50 years, formed a strong partnership in raising Sheila and twins Rhonda and Donna. Now, they have five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren as well.
“I’m so blessed to have so many friends” from volunteering,” Brenda said. “I’m so blessed to do it.”
She just recently learned that she can give out the hats to patients directly, and she was amazed at the reaction she received.
“The mom beamed,” Brenda said. “She just thanked me and thanked me. She said, ‘I just love it.’”
Contributed/Courtesy photo.
