Charity Projects and the Windy City Knitting Guild

Windy City knitters are some of the most generous people anywhere. Put a call out for finished items, yarn, supplies, time, expertise, and there are WCKG members who are quick to respond.

This page will list both organized Guild activities as well as other charities members enjoy supporting. Please share the details of your favorite charities and we'll do our best to post them here. Contact the webmaster with details.

WCKG Charity Activities

2010 Charity Hosts: Diane Martini, Shawn Cody, and Joanna Weis

• See our charity page for more details.
  

 

 

Charities Our Members Support

• Christopher School Knitting Club, Chicago, IL. Posted 28 Oct 2009.
  

  Christopher School Knitting Club needs your help!

  Our after school knitting club begins October 26, 2009 from 1:45 pm-3:45 pm (Monday and Wednesday) and we are looking for donations of knitting supplies like needles, yarn, roving, spinning equipment and volunteers.  Our student population consists of 28.5 % Black, 63.3% Hispanic, 85.6% low income and 30.7% limited English proficient and located in the Gage Park neighborhood.

  The mission of After-School All-Stars is to provide comprehensive after-school programming that keeps children safe and helps them succeed in school and in life.  As a leading national organization that provides school-based after school programs to disadvantaged youth, the goal is to provide:

  • Physical and emotional safety,
  • Caring youth-adult relationships,
  • Student voice and choice,
  • Intentional skill-building and skill development,
  • Community & family engagement, and
  • Strong school partnerships

  Ultimately we want to keep our kids off the streets and provide them with enrichment opportunities they would otherwise not receive. 

  Knitting Club will run for 2 -5 week sessions from 10/26-11/25, 2/22-3/24.  For more information, please contact Ms. Helen Molina at:

  Christopher School
  5042 S. Artesian Ave.
  Chicago, IL 60632
  773-535-9375 (school)
  773-981-5214 (cell)
  Email: hmolina2@cps.edu (work)
  or green.teacher@yahoo.com (personal)




• Mercy Blankets. Posted 21 October 2009.
  A request has come in from Mercy Hospital's OB department. They would like knit blankets for the deceased babies. These would be used to wrap the babies when given to the parents.
  The blankets are to be 24" by 24", in soft fiber and preferably "baby colors".
  This could be a way to give some love to the grieving families.
  
  Please contact Peg Rauhut if you have questions. She will be collecting blankets at the November 2009 meeting because she wants to present some "Mercy Blankets" on Dec. 1st, 2009. This is an ongoing charity. Questions? Contact Peg at mgtroz@sbcglobal.net.



• Teddy Bears for Tumaini. Posted 3 Feb 2009.
  SISTER-ARTS STUDIO, INC., 721 W. WRIGHTWOOD AVE., CHICAGO, IL 60614, (773) 929-SASI (7274), www.sisterartsstudio.com, info@sisterartsstudio.com, has agreed to be the collection point. Contact them for more details. Click for description of the project and teddy bear pattern.
  
  
• Knit A Square... and make a cold child warm, Posted 23 Feb 2009.
  Member Dana Oliver shares with us: "I just came across a charity I wanted to pass on to the group. It was on the Lion Brand newsletter this week.  It's Knit a Square and supports kids in South Africa. They need 8" squares to make blankets, plus there are patterns for vests and sweaters.  Sounds like it is new since October.  I was in South Africa last year and what a worthy cause. These people are so nice, and so much in need. I'm definitely going to start working away and hopefully ladies from our club will too."
  This charity highly recommends wool and wool blends both for their warmth, but more importantly for their fire retardant qualities.
  Thanks, Dana, for the tip.