The Standley Lake Library’s Yarn and Needle Arts Group invites the community to join in a knitting challenge to assist Warm Hearts-Warm Babies (WHWB), a local non-profit, by contributing items babies in need .
The Standley Lake Library Warm Hearts challenge begins April 1 and continues through April 30. People can participate hands on by making or donating items. Knitters can find a variety of useful and free patterns at bevscountrycottage.com.
“The Library’s group and Warm Hearts-Warm Babies both are based in Arvada, making this community partnership a perfect fit,” says group coordinator Neila Achter. For more information about the organization, visit warmheartswarmbabies.org.
WHWB incorporated in Colorado in 2000 to provide clothing (knitted, crocheted, and sewn) for infants in need. At that time, it distributed donations to about six agencies.
In 2017, WHWB donated over 80,000 items to more than 45 agencies that include pregnancy centers, hospitals and food banks. Deliveries span the entire front range, from as far north as Loveland to as far south as Pueblo. These items are packaged into layettes consisting of items like bibs, burp cloths, sleepers, sweaters or jackets, receiving blankets and a quilt or afghan. Goodie bags with baby bottles, diapers (size newborn and size 1), wash cloths, socks, and stuffed animals accompany the layettes.
“We always need donations,” said Glenda Bredeson, Vice President of the WHWB Board.
"There is a big need for sweaters, but also, knitting materials (soft yarn – preferably sport
weight, but worsted weight can also be used) and baby clothes up to six months in age (new and gently used)."
“Today, we are busier than ever,” said Bredeson. “We need more volunteers and donations to serve our growing community need"
Standley Lake Library’s Yarn and Needle Arts group began in 2014 and meets on the first Thursday of each month from 5:30 – 8 PM. The informal group is comprised of all skill levels and works under the guidance of Ms. Achter. It successfully completed a major community-knitting event in 2015 when the public joined group members in creating chemo caps for the Rocky Mountain Cancer Center. The enthusiastic response resulted in 120 caps collected at the library. The group’s 2016 project included a public art display when the library was yarn-bombed.
