By DIANE HENTGES, Director of the Volunteer Center/RSVP at the United Way of Wyandotte County
Some of us have a special talent or skill that we can share as a volunteer.
Sewing, knitting and crocheting are skills that volunteers can share. There are a number of interesting opportunities where you might use your talents.
Cross-Lines Community Outreach is recruiting individuals who sew to help make sleeping bags for the homeless. Maybe you would like to knit or crochet caps and scarfs for their Christmas store. Contact Amber at 913-281-3388 or at amber@cross-lines.org.
Maybe your sewing group could make comfort items for Cancer Action patients - items like bed pads, afghans, gowns, booties, turbans, totes, mastectomy kits, pillows and hospital bed sheets. Cancer Action can train groups on any of these projects. Contact Leslie at 913-642-8885 or at leslieb@canceractionkc.org.
Shepherd’s Center of Kansas City, Kan., has a Prayer Shawl Ministry that gives warm and embracing shawls to hospitals and nursing homes so patients and families experience the love and prayers of those who made the shawls.
For more information on how you can become involved contact Linda at 913-281-8909 or a lindas@shepherdscenterkck.org.
Grinter Place Quilters recruits and teaches volunteers to hand quilt. The proceeds from their quilting help support the Grinter House Museum and preserve the history of our area for all to enjoy. This is a fun group.
Project Linus of Greater Kansas City provides security through the gifts of handmade blankets to children who are seriously ill, traumatized or otherwise in need.
We serve the entire metro area of Kansas City, including Wyandotte and Johnson Counties in Kansas as well as Clay, Platte, Jackson and Cass Counties in Missouri. To volunteer as a Blanketeer, register on-line at www.projectliunskc.org.
As cold weather approaches, you might consider making hats, scarfs and blankets to donate to an emergency center or homeless shelter. I have a list of places if you need to know where you can donate your handmade items.
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For more information on how you can GIVE, ADVOCATE, and VOLUNTEER please contact me at 913-371-3674 or at dhentges@unitedway-wyco.org. You can find volunteer opportunities by checking out our website, www.unitedway-wyco.org and click on Volunteer.
