South Shore sisters spread kindness by spreading warmth

BOSTON — Two sisters that grew up on the South Shore are giving a big, warm hand to those in need.

The sewing machines hum along inside this Boston apartment. “We’ve gone through a few of machines, we break them, people donate some, I don’t think our neighbors are too happy with us,” said Erin Shea.

Erin and her sister, Tara, spend many nights and weekends making mittens.

The Marshfield natives launched their online company, Lost and Found Mittens, in 2017.

They make one-of-a-kind mittens out of donated, repurposed materials. “Old sweaters, jeans, fabrics, and donated new fleeces. So we have multiple sizes and every pair is unique,” Erin Shea said.

For every pair of mittens they sell, the sisters sew and give away a pair to someone in need. So far, they’ve donated more than 2,000 mittens to people experiencing homelessness. They’ve even partnered with the Pine Street Inn, the largest provider of homeless services in New England, to pass out mittens on bitterly cold nights.

“Commuting to work we would pack a few pairs and on our walk home through the main spots in Boston or outside the city just handing them out on a case-by-case moment,” Kate Shea said.

Two sisters, sewing to serve. During the pandemic, the Shea sisters pivoted their business. They also now sew Covid-19 masks. So far, they’ve donated more than 2,000 masks to essential workers.

Cox Media Group