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91-year-old in hospice care gets ‘overwhelming’ support for knitting hats for the homeless

Posted at 9:21 PM, Aug 25, 2016
and last updated 2016-08-26 16:02:52-04

GRANDVILLE, Mich.-- Morrie Boogaart has dedicated a big part of his golden years to helping others. Since we first introduced youto Boogaartthree weeks ago, people around the country have noticed his efforts in a big way.

He's 91-years-old and living in hospice care, but has knit more than 8,000 hats for the homeless. Since his story aired, he's gone viral: receiving letters, flowers, cookies and boxes of yarn from all over the country.

He's received letters and packages from New York, Georgia, California and Hawaii, to name a few. He's even received a letter from Gov. Rick Snyder.

On Thursday, the man who's been giving back to people his entire life finally got the recognition he deserves.

Less than five minutes with Morrie and another box of yarn arrives, this time from 800 miles away in Atlanta, Georgia.

"It's overwhelming," said Boogaart. "I didn't think this would happen to me."

The man that's given so much to his community by knitting hats for the homeless is receiving incredible praise from people all over the country.

"Some of them have come from Hawaii, there's been Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, Georgia, they're coming from so many places," said Morrie's daughter, Karen Lauters.

Lauters says she is proud to see her father do what he does.

"That absolutely blows me away, that Twitter in China is talking about him," said Lauters. "It's all over Facebook, it's on the internet, it's on the news channels, it's really been such a blessing."

Every day another letter and package arrives.

"That man that came in earlier, he says that I'm making him wear out the rug," said Boogaart.

Letters with message of support and appreciation for what he does are piled high.

"It makes me feel like I'm something, you know?" said Boogaart. "Thank you for thinking of me and being proud that I'm working for you. I just want to thank all of the people. One lady from Brazil called here! Of course, nowadays you can call anywhere."

With boxes of yarn piled high, Boogaart is going to be busy.

"My heart is still going, I hope it doesn't stop," said Boogaart. "I got a lot of work to do."

Boogaart is always welcoming of people to send him yarn for him to use to knit more hats for the homeless. You can address packages to Morrie Boogaart at Cambridge Manors located at 151 Port Sheldon Rd. in Grandville.