Group crochets, knits for good cause
Susie Deering, left, of New Hope Domestic Violence Services, receives blankets and other hand-knitted and crocheted items from Stitches members Barbara Koethke, center, and Joanne Reich, right.
MOSES LAKE - A few years ago, Chris Donat said she wanted to find a way she could bond with her mother.
"My mom was suffering from macular degeneration and I wanted a way for us to bond before she totally lost her eyesight," said Donat.
She came up with the idea of crocheting with her.
"By the end of the year, we crocheted a total of 14 afghans, that measured 72 inches by 72 inches each," said Donat.
The mother and daughter activity inspired Donat to continue knitting even when she could not continue with her mother.
"It was the last year before my mother totally lost her eyesight. She is now legally blind," said Donat.
She gathered two friends from her church and started Stitches, an outreach group that crochets and knits various items for non-profit organizations around Moses Lake.
For the past year, the group has had a handful of volunteers meeting at least once a month to cram Donat's closet full of knitted and crocheted items to be donated to New Hope Domestic Violence Services, Crossroads Resource Center and the Moses Lake Cancer Foundation.
Donat said when she approached each organization about what they needed, all said "in the winter months, we need blankets."
Donat said she knew it was the least she could do for the organizations.
"I'm not a rich person, but I have never been on the streets, been a victim of domestic violence or had to worry where my next meal would come from," said Donat.
The recipients of the group's efforts expressed their gratitude.
"These blankets will be a really nice thing to have for some of the families who are staying here," said New Hope community advocate Susie Deering.
"The unfortunate thing is, there's really never a time for domestic violence, it happens all season long," she said. "The families who stay here will get a lot of comfort using these items."
Stitches group members wanted to give back to the community through hand-made gifts.
"When you go through the experiences of the individuals in these organizations, it just feels nice to curl up with something that is yours. To know that the item was hand made just for you and is a labor of love," said Barbara Koethke.
"I don't count how many hours I've been invested in this project. Each stitch is a joy," she added.
Fellow Stitches member Joanne Reich said the project allowed her to give back even though she was physically impaired at times.
"I have neuropathy in my feet so I am couch-bound sometimes. This project allowed me to reach out to other people and do something while I'm on the couch," said Reich.
The group name came from a comment made by Donat's husband.
"He said, ‘You're really finishing that piece stitch by stitch,' and I thought ‘what a great group name'," said Donat.
Donat said if the drive proves successful this year, the group may consider expanding the number of organizations they donate to next year.
For more information about how to become involved in Stitches, call 509-765-8173.