Crochet With Purpose: The Story of Paulie Opossum and Freddie the Fish

Often times a crochet creation becomes more than yarn and stitches.

Sometimes it becomes a reminder that even the smallest acts of kindness can make a difference.

Sometimes a handmade friend carries a story that reaches far beyond the hook that created it.

That is the story of Paulie the Opossum and Freddie the Fish.

My connection with the Paul Leeder Project began through small moments of giving back.

Since 2023, I believe, I have been able to work alongside Ben Counts in small ways here and there, donating small handmade gifts and tokens of encouragement for his cause. Helping a family when I could.

Then, in December 2024, I had the opportunity to more intentionally support the Paul Leeder Project through a donation of handmade plushies.

Ultimately, those plushies were given to the school counselor and shared with children who were experiencing difficult moments.

It was not a huge donation.

It was not something that changed the world overnight.

But knowing that something I created with my own hands could brighten a child's day meant more than I can explain.

The holidays can be a difficult time for many. While some are surrounded by celebration and excitement, others may be carrying struggles that we never see.

We never truly know what another person is going through.

Sometimes all we can offer is a little kindness.

A little comfort.

A little hope.

And sometimes, that small reminder is exactly what someone needs.

That moment stayed with me and became the beginning of a beautiful connection with the Paul Leeder Project.

When the idea of creating a mascot of sorts for the Paul Leeder Project began taking shape, I did not want to simply choose an animal that I thought would fit.

I wanted it to mean something.

So I started talking with Ben and Kat and asked them to tell me about animals that represented them, the cause, and the spirit behind everything the Paul Leeder Project stands for.

That conversation led us to a very special place.

Ben and his family’s yard.

For years, a family of opossums has visited their property. They are not there every night, but especially during the fall and winter months, these little nighttime visitors have become familiar faces.

The first two opossums they noticed were named Paul and Margie by Ben’s family, after his grandparents.

Over time, those little visitors continued to return, and generations of the same opossum family have made their home nearby.

They became more than just wildlife passing through. They became part of the stories and little moments that made this animal feel personal to their family.

There are even a few funny stories that came from these visitors.

A couple have ventured onto the back porch to enjoy the cat food, and Ben and his family have even been able to pet a few of them.

Those little encounters helped make the choice feel even more fitting. This was not just an animal selected because of what it might symbolize. There was a real story and a real family connection behind it.

And the more I learned about opossums, the more fitting Paulie seemed to become.

Opossums are often misunderstood and overlooked, yet they are incredibly adaptable little creatures that play an important role in the environment around them.

Maybe there is a little lesson tucked inside that too.

Sometimes the things we overlook can bring us the most joy.

Sometimes the smallest creatures can carry the biggest stories.

And sometimes something as simple as an opossum wandering into a backyard can eventually inspire something much bigger.

From those conversations with Ben and Kat, Paulie the Opossum came to life as a hand crocheted friend with a purpose.

Paulie was created to represent the heart behind the Paul Leeder Project and its mission to help feed and clothe those in need within our community while encouraging the skills and mindset needed to help build a thriving future.

And Paulie carries a message that captures the spirit behind it all:

Not a handout. A hand up.

When Freddie the Fish joined Paulie on this journey, his story came directly from the heart of the Paul Leeder Project.

The Paul Leeder Project was created to honor the life and legacy of Ben’s grandfather, Paul Leeder, a man remembered for his kind soul and the impact he had on those around him.

One of the things Paul loved was fishing.

So when it came time to create a companion to join Paulie, a fish felt like the perfect choice.

Freddie the Fish is a tribute to a man whose kindness continues to create ripples throughout the community.

Fishing represents patience, connection, and those quiet moments spent together that often become some of our favorite memories.

Freddie reminds us that kindness does not always have to be loud to make an impact.

Last year, Paulie and Freddie helped bring our community together in a special way.

Through their sales, we were able to raise approximately $200 to help support the Paul Leeder Project during the holiday season with meals for families in need.

What started as a simple crochet project became something much bigger.

It became a reminder that handmade creations can carry love, encouragement, and hope far beyond the moment they are created.

Because crochet has always been about more than what we make.

It is about the people we reach.

The stories we share.

And the connections we create.

This year, Paulie and Freddie are making their return…

But this time, they are coming back with a spooky Halloween twist. 🎃

🦝 Paulie the Opossum
🐟 Freddie the Fish

These two familiar friends are getting a ghoulish makeover and preparing for their next mission.

And this year, we are making that mission a little bigger.

Our Paulie and Freddie Halloween Fundraiser officially launches September 12th when our little friends make their live debut at the Sylvania Tractor Supply Annual Farmers Market from 10 AM to 2 PM.

That will be the first chance to meet the Halloween crew in person, see their spooky new looks, and help us kick off our fundraising journey.

From September 12th through October 31st, we have set a goal to find homes for 25 Paulie and Freddie friends.

For every Paulie Opossum and Freddie the Fish sold during the fundraiser, 60% of the sale will be donated directly to the Paul Leeder Project.

At $35 each, reaching our goal of 25 little friends would allow us to donate $525 to the Paul Leeder Project!

Then, on October 31st from 4 PM to 9 PM, we will bring the fundraiser full circle at the Paul Leeder Project Fall Festival.

Naturally, MelissaMade will be there with Paulie, Freddie, and plenty of handmade fun for an evening filled with food, vendors, activities for the kids, and community.

So our mission between September 12th and October 31st is simple:

25 little friends

At least $500 raised

One handmade mission with a whole lot of purpose

Bring back two beloved crochet friends.

Create smiles throughout our community.

And turn yarn, stitches, and a little Halloween fun into something that can give back right here in Screven County.

Not a handout. A hand up.

And we are going to work toward that goal one Paulie and Freddie at a time.

One of my favorite things about crochet is that every creation has a story.

A blanket can hold memories.

A plushie can bring comfort.

A handmade gift can remind someone they are cared for.

Paulie and Freddie are more than crochet characters.

They are reminders that kindness can take many forms.

Sometimes it looks like a meal shared with a family.

Sometimes it looks like a child receiving a comforting handmade friend.

Sometimes it looks like a community coming together to help one another.

As Paulie and Freddie receive their Halloween transformations, I will be sharing the process, the details, and the journey leading up to their big return.

Because crochet has always been about more than yarn.

It is about connection.

It is about compassion.

And it is about sharing hope, one stitch at a time.