Angi Farrugia proudly shows off an array of warm wraps. These soft knits will ward off the “chill” cancer patients often get during treatments.
“Cancer patients that are losing their hair, they're not just losing the hair on their head. They're losing their eyebrows and the hair on their arms and so they're even colder,” Farrugia said.
She'd been doing nonprofit work with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society when she created “Angel Snugs.” The “snugs” name comes from combining “snuggly hugs.”
“The angels are not only the children themselves, but I am surrounded by angels that help us.”
She has over 600 volunteers, from The Villages to nursing homes and individuals. Farrugia has taught many the simple knitting process to create the colorful protection for premature babies to teens.
“They're kinda stylish and our teenaged girls, they prefer to rock their baldness so they don't really wear the hats and such but they love the scarves,” Farrugia said.
In just four years, Angel Snugs are now being sent to almost 40 hospitals in 17 states in the U.S. and one in Canada.
“We have donated over 30 thousand!”
Farrugia’s home is the distribution center and her biggest expense is shipping.
“I'm shipping to the hospitals. I'm shipping yarn to the volunteers who can't afford it. I'm shipping back from the volunteers, yarn, supplies, things like that.”
Angel Snugs holds virtual races and other events to raise money, but there's never enough snugs to go around.
“We won't meet the demand until they find a cure for cancer.”
Angel Snugs doesn't make blankets, but when they are donated Angi is more than happy to pass them along to those in need.