Mount View Care Center Residents Turn Plastic Bags into Mats for the Homeless

Earlier this year, staff from Mount View Care Center, North Central Health Care’s Skilled Nursing Facility, put out a call for donated plastic shopping bags from employees and community members. The response was overwhelming, with more than 3,500 bags collected. Over the following months, residents and staff worked together to repurpose the bags into “plarn,” or plastic yarn, which was then crocheted into five durable sleeping mats for individuals experiencing homelessness in the Wausau area.

Each mat required hours of labor to cut, roll, and weave the plastic into usable material. One resident crocheted all five mats by hand, even adding straps to make them easier to carry. The mats were recently donated to Catholic Charities of Wausau, who will distribute them to those in need throughout the community.

“This project shows how much heart, creativity, and dedication our residents have,” said Melissa Stockwell, Manager of Life Enrichment and Guest Servies. “Not only did they find a way to recycle and reuse materials, but they also found a meaningful way to give back to others in need.”

Beyond providing comfort to those who will receive the mats, the initiative also demonstrates how residents in long-term care can continue to engage in purposeful, community-minded activities that make a difference.

NCHC extends its gratitude to all staff and community members who donated bags and supported the project.