Photo courtesy Anne Sawchuk 

By Erika Rolling

Community

Stitch Club of Grande Prairie makes record amount of items, but in desperate need of donations

Sep 20, 2023 | 1:22 PM

Fifty-five members of the Stitch Club of Grande Prairie took around 28,000 hours of their own time to knit, crochet, and sew 6,591 items in a year’s time to donate across the region.

It’s the largest number of handmade items the club will be donating in its 22-year history.

Captain of the Stitch Club Anne Sawchuk says the club mainly makes hats, mittens, scarves, slippers, and blankets, but branched out this year making; “Santa socks, sweaters, and worms; which go to palliative care or children that have to go testify in court and they hold onto the worm.”

She says the club is made up of people who love their stitching hobby, but have no one or nowhere to give their creations to once they are finished.

Over 40 places across the Peace region will be receiving donations from the club including, but not limited to;

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• Multiple departments at the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital,
• Centre for Young Parents,
• Elder Care,
• Grande Prairie Friendship Centre,
• Golden Age Centre,
• Hythe & District Pioneer Home,
• Northreach Society,
• Odyssey House,
• Rising Above,
• Sunrise House,
• St. Lawrence Center,
• Wapiti House.

In 2022, 5,303 items were made by 47 members. This year, there were eight more members and 1,288 items created with an estimated 11,000 balls of yarn used in 2023 alone.

“I’m sure some of the new ladies don’t sleep, they just knit all day and night!”

Sawchuk says if they don’t receive donations soon, they will have to fold.

“We are looking at different ways and means of generating some funds and what-not, but because we aren’t a registered charity at the moment… lots of companies don’t donate to us cause they can’t write it off,” she says.

A plea for yarn or funds is being put out so the Stitch Club can continue providing handmade items to those who need them most.

“We love what we do, and the ladies really, really want to continue… but if we don’t have yarn, we can’t,” she notes.

Donations of yarn, cash, and gift cards to Michael’s can be dropped off at the Golden Age Centre in Grande Prairie at 10222-101 Avenue or can be picked up by Captain Anne by calling 780-513-0601 or club member Cindy at 780-897-2338.