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The basics: Vicki Cooksey, 59, of Fresno is a part-time reading tutor. She and her husband, Jerry, have three grown children.
What she does: Cooksey co-founded a group through her church, Calvary Chapel Fresno, that makes scarves and hats for Fresno's homeless. She and Jerry also coordinate the local branch of Operation Christmas Child that collects shoeboxes filled with Christmas gifts for children around the world.
Why she does it: "We like to do things for the community, to reach out to people," Cooksey said. "Every person has value. God knows them."
Turning point: "Once you've made hats and scarves for the family, it just goes on from there," Cooksey said. She and church member Lee Neff formed the group for friends who do needlework.
Details, details: About 20 women from Calvary Chapel Fresno meet every Friday afternoon at Neff's northwest Fresno home to knit, crochet or weave hats, scarves, lap robes and even baby booties. Most of the hats and scarves go to the church's Love Sacks ministry. Church members give plastic bags filled with toiletries -- and a hat and scarf -- to homeless people on Christmas Eve.
