In a world where creativity meets compassion, Fairfield World has developed a groundbreaking initiative: the We Make for Good program. Designed to inspire and empower makers, this initiative supports makers who channel the love of crafting into meaningful projects that serve communities in need. It is our pleasure to announce this year’s grant recipients. We hope that their stories will inspire you to make for good!
Hennepin Healthcare Volunteer Makers
These big hearted volunteers help lessen the fears of pediatric hospital patients by gifting them Worry Monsters, adorable small stuffed creatures that have a zipper for a mouth. Recipients are encouraged to write their worries on a piece of paper and “feed” it to the monster, putting it in the mouth and zipping it closed. They can take it out and process at a later time when you are better able to not be overwhelmed by the worry. This helps pediatrics patients process their worries and concerns about their injury and/or illness, upcoming medical procedures, etc. Worry Monsters are now used throughout the hospital and clinics, benefitting kids, adults and employees and their children who are often facing their own stressors as a result of the work they do. The group has created and donated over 2,500 items this year alone!
Kisses4Kate
This non-profit started in 2010 with a goal to help a special little girl who was fighting leukemia. Today the organization carries on in her name, providing comfort and assistance to children with cancer and their families. One of their many important programs is making bears for children in treatment. When a child is diagnosed with cancer at Brenner Children’s hospital, the first thing they receive is a handmade bear that travels with them through their journey. These bears become their friends and become very important companions, sometimes through what turns out to be years of treatment. All of the bears are made by volunteers, mostly teenagers seeking service hours. Fairfield World is thrilled to be able to donate Poly-Fil Fiber Fill to this cause.
Yarn Angels South Bay
This two-time grant recipient made and donated 6,992 hand made sewn and crocheted items last year! Since 2003, this charitable group meets on the 2nd and 4th Monday of very month at St Marks Presbyterian Church in Lomita to create items to donate. Their volunteers make quilts, afghans, placemats, hot pads, pillowcases, stuffed animals, tote bags, bibs, changing pads, burp cloths and many other items that are donated to local hospitals and charitable organizations. Some of their recipients include the Harbor UCLA Pediatric Unit, Kaiser oncology, Family Promise, Venice Family Clinic, West LA Veterans Hospital, Casa de Los Angelitos, Flossie Lewis Center, Rainbow Services, and the Mindful Veteran Project.
Wynnbrook Baptist Church Sewing Ministry
This charitable group of volunteers are in their 15th year of making WOM Pillow of Love Pillows. The project started in February 2010 with 75 pillows. Since that time more than 8,000 people going through medical procedures have been blessed with a comforting handmade pillow. In 2014 this led to starting a ministry for the babies and children, Sewing Seeds of Love, making items for the local NICU. This year, one of their members started a class to teach young girls going through drug rehab how to sew. These young ladies are now making the pillows, bags for toiletries to be given to the homeless, and making things for themselves and their children! It’s a gift that keeps on giving!
Special Spaces
This organization truly makes dreams come true! Special Spaces mission is to create dream bedrooms for kids living with Cancer. Special Spaces is celebrating their 20th anniversary this year, while the Buffalo NY chapter is celebrating 13 years of creating dream bedrooms. Special Spaces Buffalo has put smiles on the faces of 135 children to date. All makeovers are completed by volunteers and funded solely by donations.
Community Hospice & Palliative Care
Founded in 2021, this program aims to serve caregivers and families in a creative way. Their handcrafted Memory Pillows are special keepsakes created by their Creative HeARTs volunteers. These special pillows are made from an article of clothing owned by their love one. The complimentary pillow is a one-of-kind treasure and loving memento for those who have had their end-of-life journey with Community Hospice & Palliative Care.
St. Anna Quilters
The St. Anna Quilters have been in existence since the early 60s. It began as part of the women’s organization at church. Today there are 5-7 women who work on the quilt projects. The women sew the quilts in their home during the year and during the winter months they meet in a members’ basement to tie the quilts. In the winter the women meet once a week for 4 months to tie and finish the quilts before they are sent on their way. The St. Anna Quilters make quilts of all sizes to be distributed around the world. The process begins by cutting squares for quilts, sewing the squares together to make a quilt top, stretching and tying the quilt with batting in the center and then hemming the quilts.
Residence Hall Association at Arizona State University
This organization focuses on leadership development, advocacy, professional development, community outreach, and more. With the donation of Poly-Fil Fiber Fill, the organization will be able to make cushion hearts for breast cancer patients. These are cushion hearts that are meant to support the breast tissue after the breast cancer patient has surgery. These will be donated to a hospital.
Stitching Up the World – Candia Community Woman’s Club
Stitching Up the World has been providing handmade items to many different organizations across New Hampshire, the United States and even internationally for the past 14 years. Stitching Up the World makes pillowcases, lap blankets, hats, baby/newborn blankets, handbags, Worry Monsters, port pillows, mastectomy pillows, dresses, port shirts, mittens, scarves, shawls, headbands, masks, children splints, fidget sleeves, hospital gowns, duffle bags, slippers, burp clothes, laundry bags, school bags, fleece blankets, doll diapers, bears, and Christmas stockings.
Sock Monkeys for Kids
Karen Barnes is one woman with a big heart! She makes and donates sock monkeys to children that are being treated at Norton Children’s Hospital in Louisville, KY. Children with acute illnesses from all over the region, from all walks of life come to Norton Children’s Hospital for treatment, and she aims to bring a little joy into their lives. She started out as a volunteer at the hospital, leading craft activities. She witnessed children whose hospital rooms were full of gifts, balloons and family. She also witnessed children whose hospital room was dark, empty and one other person in that room. The difference between the haves and the have nots was stark. It was heartbreaking. When she retired she decided to make and donate sock monkeys. To date she has donated 126 sock monkeys.
D & M Crafts
This generous sister duo has been making quilts to donate for over 15 years! They donate their handmade quilts to any place that has a need for them. Past recipients include the Salvation Army, hospital children’s wards, homeless shelters, battered woman shelters, and church organization. They work on the quilts daily, and they make at least 100 quilts to donate every year.
Kaleb McLaughlin Ride to Remember & Organ Donation Awareness
Kim Oxender created this organization in honor of her son, whose organs were donated when he was tragically killed. She shared that she makes Memory Bears and Gold Star Rabbits because she knows the devastating, gut-wretching pain a mom feels when her child dies. She makes and gives the Donor Dogs to help people remember the importance of organ donation. Her generosity is her way of helping others while keeping her son’s story alive.
Join the Movement
If you love to create for others, Fairfield World’s We Make for Good program offers the perfect way to share that passion with others. We would love for you to Share Your Story with us, where you can also apply for a product grant! Together, we can use the power of crafting to build a more compassionate, connected world.