Police dispatchers donate hand-stitched items to elderly

SOUTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, Fla. (WSVN) -- Their work days involve answering 911 calls and getting help out to strangers quickly. Now the dispatchers of the Miami-Dade Police Department are giving back to their community, one stitch at a time.

Continuing a yearly tradition, dispatchers made more than 200 crocheted items, including caps, gloves and blankets, intended for the county's elderly citizens.

"Some people have it a lot worse than we do, especially during the holidays, and you have to recognize that," said dispatcher Annabel Lee, "so that's why it was such a great project to be involved in."

The sobering stories the dispatchers hear every day remind them of the many who are forgotten. "It's a great stress reliever to our employees, because they deal with life-and-death situations," Lee said.

Earlier, on Wednesday, the dispatchers got a chance to meet the residents they will be keeping warm this holiday season. "That's what it's really all about, the people who are out there, who have a tremendous need that isn't always met through other sources," Lee said.

"It's a great project for Christmas, and it's a great project for your soul. You feel better as a person when you do this," she added.

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