Local Woman Knits Hats for the Homeless

By Jeff French Segall

Carol Miseyko is a longtime Upper West Sider who knits hats and scarves to sell, so she can buy more yarn to knit hats and scarves to give away to women who are homeless or refugees seeking asylum on the Upper West Side during the cold months of winter.

Miseyko has spent countless hours knitting and donating her hats for about 12 years, since she retired from her position as a textile buyer in the garment industry. She knits over 200 hats and 50 scarves a year. Recently, she took some of her hats to Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal’s office to distribute to families currently living in the Skyline hotel, at 725 10th Avenue, after being expelled from Southern states for political reasons.

Last week, Miseyko was selling hats outside The Sunshinery, a gift shop owned by Jennifer Simoni at 551 Columbus Avenue between 86th and 87th Streets. She made approximately $700 from the day’s sales, but kept none of the proceeds for herself. She left the unsold hat and scarf sets at The Sunshinery for sale at $100 apiece to any customers wanting to participate in a shared act of generosity by purchasing them.

Miseyko credits Simoni with suggesting that she sell some of the hats rather than ask people for donations. Even after purchasing the sets, a number of buyers added additional contributions.

Hats for the Homeless operates in locations other than the Upper West Side. She has relationships with a number of institutions, including the Bowery Mission, the Midnight Run, Convenant House, New York Cares, Ronald McDonald House, Holy Cross Senior Center, St. Luke’s Food Pantry, and others, all of which distribute the hats free of charge to their clients.

In addition to offering her shop as a location to support the homeless, Simoni invites artists to display their work in The Sunshinery, accepting none of the proceeds from sales. “Part of the reason I opened the store was to do things for the community,” she said. This month, she has invited a local artist, Nicole Cohen, to display her abstract paintings, which are hung surrounded by jewelry and the more standard items that are offered.