Service Learning
Teaching students the importance of giving back to the community is very important to me. One of the accomplishments of which I am most proud is the work of my school community service project, Stitch for a Cause.
In 2002, I had just wrapped up my eight-year stint as co-advisor of KCD's yearbook and was looking to become involved in something new. I am a crafter by heart and remembered fondly the knitting club in fourth grade where I was taught to knit by community volunteers. I thought it would be fun to start a knitting club in the middle school, but envisioned it having a service focus. Instead of simply making items for ourselves, the items we created would be donated to those in need. Stitch for a Cause was born.
That first year, I put out a request to our parent community for volunteers and had the good fortune to have three wonderful women offer to help me teach students to knit. One was new to our school and had experience working in yarn shops and for a yarn company, another founded a local Waldorf school where knitting is part of the curriculum, and the last was a dedicated parent and knitter who enjoyed volunteering at school. These three ladies gave me suggestions for first projects (an 8-inch square is still the first project all students are asked to complete) and patiently worked with students to help them learn the skills of knitting. Although those parents have moved on now that their children have graduated, their help was invaluable. I now have the excellent support of my colleague Marjorie Seely who has helped me with the group for the past several years.
Since that first year, Stitch for a Cause has grown tremendously. It has gone from an odd little club to something that is a respected part of our school service efforts. The first year, all the materials were either bought by me or my parent volunteers. Thanks to our web presence, we now receive support from crafters from all across the country. It amazes me to see the generosity of strangers and it has also served as a lesson to my students about the impact of the individual.
In 2002, I had just wrapped up my eight-year stint as co-advisor of KCD's yearbook and was looking to become involved in something new. I am a crafter by heart and remembered fondly the knitting club in fourth grade where I was taught to knit by community volunteers. I thought it would be fun to start a knitting club in the middle school, but envisioned it having a service focus. Instead of simply making items for ourselves, the items we created would be donated to those in need. Stitch for a Cause was born.
That first year, I put out a request to our parent community for volunteers and had the good fortune to have three wonderful women offer to help me teach students to knit. One was new to our school and had experience working in yarn shops and for a yarn company, another founded a local Waldorf school where knitting is part of the curriculum, and the last was a dedicated parent and knitter who enjoyed volunteering at school. These three ladies gave me suggestions for first projects (an 8-inch square is still the first project all students are asked to complete) and patiently worked with students to help them learn the skills of knitting. Although those parents have moved on now that their children have graduated, their help was invaluable. I now have the excellent support of my colleague Marjorie Seely who has helped me with the group for the past several years.
Since that first year, Stitch for a Cause has grown tremendously. It has gone from an odd little club to something that is a respected part of our school service efforts. The first year, all the materials were either bought by me or my parent volunteers. Thanks to our web presence, we now receive support from crafters from all across the country. It amazes me to see the generosity of strangers and it has also served as a lesson to my students about the impact of the individual.
Project Highlights
One of my hats on a baby in Bangladesh
Save the Children
Caps to the Capitol; Knit One, Save One
I am always looking for charity knitting projects and I was fortunate to hear about Save the Children's Caps to the Capitol project in the fall of 2007. The project aimed to raise awareness of the staggering number of newborn deaths in developing countries (over 4 million annually—the same number of births in the United States) and address one of the most preventable causes, a lack of warmth. During the 6-month project, we completed over 200 hats, joining over 20,000 knitters and crocheters from all 50 states who sent in more than 280,000 hats combined. Students also participated in the letter writing campaign to the President expressing their support for increased U.S aid for child and maternal health programs overseas.
My students and I were invited to Washington, D.C. to be honored for our work and to help increase support for child survival programs with legislators. At the culminating event at the Textile Museum in Washington, DC., caps from all 50 states were on display, including some knit by KCD students. At the event, which was hosted by ABC News political commentator Cokie Roberts, I was selected to read my letter to President Bush to a group of over 200 attendees.
The hats were eventually delivered to the countries of Bangladesh and Malawi, which have the highest infant mortality rates of the countries in which Save the Children operates. Above is a photo of one of my knit caps that made it to Bangladesh.
The video below was created to document our journey that year and to support Save the Children's work. It was originally posted on the web site created by Five for Fighting's Jon Ondrasik as a way for individuals to support a number of different charities.
Caps to the Capitol; Knit One, Save One
I am always looking for charity knitting projects and I was fortunate to hear about Save the Children's Caps to the Capitol project in the fall of 2007. The project aimed to raise awareness of the staggering number of newborn deaths in developing countries (over 4 million annually—the same number of births in the United States) and address one of the most preventable causes, a lack of warmth. During the 6-month project, we completed over 200 hats, joining over 20,000 knitters and crocheters from all 50 states who sent in more than 280,000 hats combined. Students also participated in the letter writing campaign to the President expressing their support for increased U.S aid for child and maternal health programs overseas.
My students and I were invited to Washington, D.C. to be honored for our work and to help increase support for child survival programs with legislators. At the culminating event at the Textile Museum in Washington, DC., caps from all 50 states were on display, including some knit by KCD students. At the event, which was hosted by ABC News political commentator Cokie Roberts, I was selected to read my letter to President Bush to a group of over 200 attendees.
The hats were eventually delivered to the countries of Bangladesh and Malawi, which have the highest infant mortality rates of the countries in which Save the Children operates. Above is a photo of one of my knit caps that made it to Bangladesh.
The video below was created to document our journey that year and to support Save the Children's work. It was originally posted on the web site created by Five for Fighting's Jon Ondrasik as a way for individuals to support a number of different charities.
Caps to the Capitol Video - 2007
In 2009, we again participated in Save the Children's program, this time called Knit One, Save One. We set a goal of collecting 500 handknit caps this time and met that goal! Below is one of a few news stories about our work that ran in the local media.
Knit One, Save One News Coverage - 2009
Again, several students and I traveled to Washington, D.C. to advocate for child survival programs. We joined citizens from around the country to learn from experts in the field of global child and maternal health and to again meet with legislators to bring awareness to this issue. My students kept a video blog and shared a presentation with the entire middle school about our experience.
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Berrytown YMCA
Partnership with Senior Citizens Program
During the 2008-2009 school year, Stitch for a Cause entered a unique inter-generational partnership with seniors at the Berrytown YMCA. We committed to going to the center each week to teach the seniors how to knit and they would use the skills they learned to help with our service project.
It was wonderful to watch these young and young-at-heart crafters working together. The students were amazingly patient and encouraging. The seniors were funny, friendly and made our visits something the students looked forward to each week. In the end, they helped us reach our goal of donating 500 hats for Save the Children's Knit One, Save One project, but we accomplished so much more. The seniors found that you're never too old to learn something new and the students learned you're never too young to make a difference.
Partnership with Senior Citizens Program
During the 2008-2009 school year, Stitch for a Cause entered a unique inter-generational partnership with seniors at the Berrytown YMCA. We committed to going to the center each week to teach the seniors how to knit and they would use the skills they learned to help with our service project.
It was wonderful to watch these young and young-at-heart crafters working together. The students were amazingly patient and encouraging. The seniors were funny, friendly and made our visits something the students looked forward to each week. In the end, they helped us reach our goal of donating 500 hats for Save the Children's Knit One, Save One project, but we accomplished so much more. The seniors found that you're never too old to learn something new and the students learned you're never too young to make a difference.
March of Dimes
March for Babies & Mother's Day Baskets
One in eight babies are born prematurely and premature birth is the leading cause of infant death and many lifelong disabilities. As the parent of premature twins that were born at 26 weeks, I have a personal connection to this issue and felt my students could do a lot to help.
We took on two projects during the 2009-2010 school year to help the March of Dimes. First, we organized a team of walkers for the annual March for Babies. The event brings awareness to prematurity and supports community services, education, advocacy, and research. We raised money through dress down days (Blue Jeans for Babies) and bake sales, collecting over $700.
We also knit baby hats and collected donations of hand made baby blankets, booties, and other items for Mother's Day gift baskets. The baskets were delivered to the Norton Suburban Hospital NICU Family Resource Center, which is supported by the March of Dimes. The Center helps to alleviate the emotional distress common to families with a baby in the NICU. Hopefully our gift baskets and notes brought a little happiness to the families.
March for Babies & Mother's Day Baskets
One in eight babies are born prematurely and premature birth is the leading cause of infant death and many lifelong disabilities. As the parent of premature twins that were born at 26 weeks, I have a personal connection to this issue and felt my students could do a lot to help.
We took on two projects during the 2009-2010 school year to help the March of Dimes. First, we organized a team of walkers for the annual March for Babies. The event brings awareness to prematurity and supports community services, education, advocacy, and research. We raised money through dress down days (Blue Jeans for Babies) and bake sales, collecting over $700.
We also knit baby hats and collected donations of hand made baby blankets, booties, and other items for Mother's Day gift baskets. The baskets were delivered to the Norton Suburban Hospital NICU Family Resource Center, which is supported by the March of Dimes. The Center helps to alleviate the emotional distress common to families with a baby in the NICU. Hopefully our gift baskets and notes brought a little happiness to the families.
Center for Women & Families
Scarf Gift Bags
In the fall of 2007, we took on a project to knit and crochet scarves for The Center for Women and Families, a local domestic violence and rape crisis center. Our goal was to put together at least 100 gift bags containing a handmade scarf and some travel-sized toiletry items. We solicited help from other adults in our school community and received great support.
We invited one of the education coordinators to speak to our group. She shared many sobering statistics with the girls, one of which was that 1 in 3 women will be a victim of domestic abuse in her lifetime. After the presentation, a few girls put together a Powerpoint that shared what they learned and asked for support of a bake sale we were planning. The money from the bake sale would be used by the Center for a new holiday program. They asked for donations of $25 gift cards. The cards will be used by mothers at the Center for holiday shopping and allow them the dignity of being able to buy gifts directly for their own children. Our bake sale raised over $200 and with that money and additional funds, Stitch for a Cause was able to purchase twelve $25 gift cards.
The culmination of our efforts was a trip to the main office of the Center for Women and Families where we dropped off 111 gift bags. It was very rewarding and the students were excited to give away something they had worked hard on and that would make someone happy.
Scarf Gift Bags
In the fall of 2007, we took on a project to knit and crochet scarves for The Center for Women and Families, a local domestic violence and rape crisis center. Our goal was to put together at least 100 gift bags containing a handmade scarf and some travel-sized toiletry items. We solicited help from other adults in our school community and received great support.
We invited one of the education coordinators to speak to our group. She shared many sobering statistics with the girls, one of which was that 1 in 3 women will be a victim of domestic abuse in her lifetime. After the presentation, a few girls put together a Powerpoint that shared what they learned and asked for support of a bake sale we were planning. The money from the bake sale would be used by the Center for a new holiday program. They asked for donations of $25 gift cards. The cards will be used by mothers at the Center for holiday shopping and allow them the dignity of being able to buy gifts directly for their own children. Our bake sale raised over $200 and with that money and additional funds, Stitch for a Cause was able to purchase twelve $25 gift cards.
The culmination of our efforts was a trip to the main office of the Center for Women and Families where we dropped off 111 gift bags. It was very rewarding and the students were excited to give away something they had worked hard on and that would make someone happy.
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Kentucky Humane Society
Pet Beds & Wishlist Donations
Many of my students wanted to do a project in which we could help animals, so we decided to make pet beds to donate to the Kentucky Humane Society. Pet beds can help frightened or difficult to handle animals become more calm and reduce their stress. This can influence their demeanor and make them more likely to be adopted. One of our volunteers came up with the pattern and template which only required two pieces of fabric, an old towel or quilt batting for the center layer, and stuffing for the edge.
To help the shelter additionally, we held several fundraisers to collect donated items and money. The video below was shown at a middle school assembly to explain the problem of animal overpopulation and bring awareness to our efforts.
Pet Beds & Wishlist Donations
Many of my students wanted to do a project in which we could help animals, so we decided to make pet beds to donate to the Kentucky Humane Society. Pet beds can help frightened or difficult to handle animals become more calm and reduce their stress. This can influence their demeanor and make them more likely to be adopted. One of our volunteers came up with the pattern and template which only required two pieces of fabric, an old towel or quilt batting for the center layer, and stuffing for the edge.
To help the shelter additionally, we held several fundraisers to collect donated items and money. The video below was shown at a middle school assembly to explain the problem of animal overpopulation and bring awareness to our efforts.
Help for Homeless Animals Video - 2008
In March 2008, we took a field trip to the Kentucky Humane Society to drop off our donations and see the facility. We were able to donate about 20 handmade pet beds or blankets. Along with the beds, we also dropped off supplies of paper towels, peanut butter, and a variety of pet supplies and a monetary donation of over $280 from our fundraisers.
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Warm Woolies
Charmed Knits Stitch-In
Whenever we can combine our charity work with some fun, it is a win-win situation. Many middle schoolers love the Harry Potter novels, so when we learned about the online Charmed Knits knitalong, we we eager to participate. The 2007 campaign used patterns from the book Charmed Knits and knitters were encouraged to mail in hats that would be donated to Warm Woolies, a charity that provided warm items of clothing to children in cold climates.
We had a great turn out at the Charmed Knits for Charity event that was held at Sophie's Fine Yarn Shoppe. About 20 people knit Hogwarts hats for charity and we hoped many heads would be warmed by our efforts.
Charmed Knits Stitch-In
Whenever we can combine our charity work with some fun, it is a win-win situation. Many middle schoolers love the Harry Potter novels, so when we learned about the online Charmed Knits knitalong, we we eager to participate. The 2007 campaign used patterns from the book Charmed Knits and knitters were encouraged to mail in hats that would be donated to Warm Woolies, a charity that provided warm items of clothing to children in cold climates.
We had a great turn out at the Charmed Knits for Charity event that was held at Sophie's Fine Yarn Shoppe. About 20 people knit Hogwarts hats for charity and we hoped many heads would be warmed by our efforts.
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