WAUSAU − More than 3,500 plastic shopping bags have been repurposed into sleeping mats for Wausau residents experiencing homelessness, according to a community announcement.

The call for donations was made earlier this year by Mount View Care Center, North Central Health Care’s skilled nursing facility, and the community's response was overwhelming. Over the following months, residents and staff collaborated to transform the bags into “plarn,” or plastic yarn, which was then crocheted into five durable sleeping mats.

Creating each mat required significant time and labor. One resident crocheted all five mats by hand, even adding straps for easier carrying.

The completed mats were donated to Catholic Charities of Wausau for distribution to those in need within the community.

“This projec

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