Stitch It Forward

Thanks to the funding we received from the Field Law Community Fund Program, it has been an exciting year for us! The COVID-19 pandemic had a massive effect on our organization as it provided many more ways to serve the community. 

Funds were used to pay for our storage unit and purchase supplies such as elastic, fabrics, and a new serger, and thanks to 3,288 volunteer hours from 37 volunteers, we were able to finish 2,639 projects. Funds were also used to mail supplies to volunteers living outside of Lethbridge so that projects could continue even when people were isolating at home.  

Our heart pillow program was put on hold as we switched our focus to creating items in high demand due to the pandemic:

  • Countless masks, scrub bags, and ear protectors were given to first responders working in various health care situations, schools, businesses, and the general public
  • 100 blankets and 60 toques, provided to The Calgary Family Peer Connection
  • 20 gowns for a health care aid training class
  • 800 toques for homeless, low income, and people with a mental illness
  • 660 armbands for Galbraith School, for a learning program competition that involved them tracking how many kilometres they ran, books they read and other projects
  • 18 weighted lap blankets (which provide comfort and help people relax) were sewn for children who have trouble sitting still.  

The funding we received allowed us to further develop our program. This provided people with a new way to give back and be charitable, even when in isolation, whether creating items themselves or by donating their unused fabric, yarn, and craft supplies, in turn diverting it from the landfill. Our volunteers loved being able to help others, and have the following things to say:

I want to let you know what it means to be included in some of your projects. It’s a real lift to my day to be able to raid my sewing room for supplies for one of your projects. It gives me such pleasure to have a project that needs completion. This virus has hanged so much in our daily lives. I’ve just retired, and the isolation can become very overwhelming, but this organization has been a real lifeline for me. Keep up the great work, and I hope to be included in many more future projects in the near future! 

 

As a volunteer with Stitch It Forward Society of Lethbridge, I am pleased to write a letter of support for them. I have been acquainted with this organization since it was formed. They are dedicated to helping others both in Lethbridge and other communities in Southern Alberta. From small, simple beginnings, they have expanded to collaborate with other non-profits and charities to meet the people’s needs in our region. This might be for a single individual, such as hemming work pants, helping a family devastated by a house fire, or many by providing masks or garment bags to frontline healthcare providers. Their approach is always a caring and compassionate effort to support, lift, and provide the required assistance.