2008 Woodie Awards
One graceful stitch at a time, local charity aids cancer patients
Amanda Boyer
Issue date: 11/13/04 Section: News Stories
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As the holiday season is approaching, many charitable organizations are looking for donations. These donations will benefit those who are less fortunate. However, it is not just during the holiday season that people look for gifts to cheer them up. People who suffering from an illness or the loss of a loved one, enjoy receiving gifts any time. It makes there day a whole lot brighter and puts a smile on their face.
In 2002, Karen Bailey and Carol Venie founded a non- profit organization called Graceful Stitches. Karen and Carol, two friends from Glen Falls, New York who enjoy to knit in their spare time, have had their lives directly changed by cancer. In 1999, while pregnant with her third child, Karen was diagnosed with colon cancer. Carol had breast cancer and has undergone surgery, radiation, chemotherapy all while raising her two young children. The two got together and began knitting scarves and shawls. They sold these knitted items at home demonstrations. The profits from these demonstrations have been donated for colon, breast and neuroblastoma cancer research. Also, payments have been made for medical bills for families that are finding it difficult to pay for their loved ones cancer treatment. Word quickly spread and Graceful Stitches was formed. They have raised nearly $80, 000 in just the first fifteen months.
"We know that with God's Grace, we can turn our misfortune into something positive by making a difference in the lives of people with cancer and their families." Graceful Stitches tries to get people to help people when cancer can make them feel so weak. Many of the volunteers are either undergoing treatment for cancer, have completed cancer treatment or a loved is undergoing treatment. Currently, there are over a 100 volunteers from across the United States involved.
With all the revenue and community donations Graceful Stitches was able to open a full service yarn shop in March of 2004. The mission statement of Graceful Stitches is: "The spirit of this organization is to turn tragedies into triumphs, one stitch at a time" . The yarn shop is located in Medfield, Massachusetts. The shop is a place where volunteers can meet and knit together. Also, it acts as s support center for people dealing with cancer.
Many local celebrities are involved with Graceful Stitches. Shonda Schilling, Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling's wife, and other Red Sox wives have been very helpful in creating this shop. They have been knitting scarves and they are selling for $75. Shonda is a cancer survivor and wants to give back as much as she can to the community.
If you would like to take part in this wonderful charity you can visit Graceful Stitches website: www.gracefulstitches.org or e- mail info@gracefulstitches.org. The address is:
Graceful Stitches
505 Main Street
Medfield, MA 02052
508- 359- 1505
In 2002, Karen Bailey and Carol Venie founded a non- profit organization called Graceful Stitches. Karen and Carol, two friends from Glen Falls, New York who enjoy to knit in their spare time, have had their lives directly changed by cancer. In 1999, while pregnant with her third child, Karen was diagnosed with colon cancer. Carol had breast cancer and has undergone surgery, radiation, chemotherapy all while raising her two young children. The two got together and began knitting scarves and shawls. They sold these knitted items at home demonstrations. The profits from these demonstrations have been donated for colon, breast and neuroblastoma cancer research. Also, payments have been made for medical bills for families that are finding it difficult to pay for their loved ones cancer treatment. Word quickly spread and Graceful Stitches was formed. They have raised nearly $80, 000 in just the first fifteen months.
"We know that with God's Grace, we can turn our misfortune into something positive by making a difference in the lives of people with cancer and their families." Graceful Stitches tries to get people to help people when cancer can make them feel so weak. Many of the volunteers are either undergoing treatment for cancer, have completed cancer treatment or a loved is undergoing treatment. Currently, there are over a 100 volunteers from across the United States involved.
With all the revenue and community donations Graceful Stitches was able to open a full service yarn shop in March of 2004. The mission statement of Graceful Stitches is: "The spirit of this organization is to turn tragedies into triumphs, one stitch at a time" . The yarn shop is located in Medfield, Massachusetts. The shop is a place where volunteers can meet and knit together. Also, it acts as s support center for people dealing with cancer.
Many local celebrities are involved with Graceful Stitches. Shonda Schilling, Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling's wife, and other Red Sox wives have been very helpful in creating this shop. They have been knitting scarves and they are selling for $75. Shonda is a cancer survivor and wants to give back as much as she can to the community.
If you would like to take part in this wonderful charity you can visit Graceful Stitches website: www.gracefulstitches.org or e- mail info@gracefulstitches.org. The address is:
Graceful Stitches
505 Main Street
Medfield, MA 02052
508- 359- 1505