Crafting for a cause

Hugs and Stitches. The name says it all.

A group of women meet every Tuesday to knit and crochet hats, scarves and afghans for the needy. In 2015, the group made and donated 2,480 hats, scarves and afghans for several nonprofits in Westminster, Md. and Baltimore.

Organizer Sandi Schneider says the pieces are made with love. She started the organization about 11 years ago because she wanted to help keep the homeless people she passed on her commute warm. The group has grown to 36 women who meet at Brightview Westminster Ridge, an independent living, assisted living and memory care community in Westminster, Md. Schneider says the facility welcomed Hugs and Stitches and several residents are now members of the group, too.

"I have met some of the most amazing women," she says to Carroll County Times. "Some of the girls have found friends for life in that group. And they are all so good to me. When new people come they end up fitting right in. If they are shy, they find someone to sit with who becomes a friend. It's the warmest group I have ever been a part of and it just blesses me every week."

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Nicole Stempak

Nicole was Senior Editor at I Advance Senior Care and Long Term Living Magazine 2015-2017. She has a Journalism degree from Kent State University and is finalizing a master’s degree in Information Architecture and Management. She has extensive studies in the digital user experience and in branding online media. She has worked as an editor and writer for various B2B publications, including Business Finance.