Stitchers of Hope, a Fountain Hills-based sewing group, has sewn hard-to-fill orders to meet its goals for 2023.

This year, there are some major projects the group is working on to keep families and children around the world clothed and warm.

To complete its projects, Stitchers of Hope is seeking help from the community.

Major projects

Stitchers of Hope supported Operation Christmas Child (OCC) in 2023 which was a successful project, according to a press release, sewing 634 dresses, 286 shorts and 274 small sewing kits. Partnering with several local churches and schools, these supplies filled shoeboxes for children for Christmas and sent all over the world.

For 2024, OCC requested over 700 dresses, 300 boys’ shorts and 200 small sewing kits, according to the release, with partnerships including Cornerstone Family Church Fountain Hills, Christ's Church of Fountain Hills, Desert Creek Fellowship, Trinity Lutheran Church and The Inspiration Academy.

Those interested in assisting can join Stitchers of Hope which already has boy’s shorts kits prepped to sew with all the supplies.

Stitchers of Hope also supports Pipeline Worldwide, an organization that brings clean water, sanitation, education and more to impoverished families in East Africa, according to the press release.

Many expectant mothers in Uganda live in poverty and cannot give birth in a hospital unless they have a blanket in which to wrap their babies, the release said.

For this reason, a total of 200 birthing bags filled with baby blankets, beanie hats, hygiene kits and bikinis for pregnant mothers were requested last year from Stitchers of Hope which happily complied.

According to the press release, the founder of Pipeline Worldwide Jamie Nollette realized so much more was needed so an additional 300 birthing bags were requested in 2024, underscoring the increased need for volunteers.

Ways to help Stitchers of Hope

Made up of a dedicated number of sewers, Stitchers of Hope has ways that the community can help from their homes or with the Stitchers of Hope group.

Those who enjoy knitting, crocheting, cutting, ironing, measuring, making baby blankets or shopping for deals on material and supplies are invited to visit the club to learn how to help or sew with the Stitchers of Hope on an upcoming workday.

Stitchers of Hope is also in need of baby blankets (the thicker the better) that are 40 to 60 inches - square or rectangular and made from flannel, quilted cotton, knit or crocheted - anything that makes a nice warm blanket, the release said.

For those who don’t sew but want to help, Stitchers of Hope has included a list of items that are needed to fulfill their projects for the year.

Those items include 100% cotton material (bright colors are the best), flannel or any type of fabric, girls’ shirts (new or like new but no t-shirts), non-see-through pillowcases, sewing machines, sewing notions, XL suitcases (28-31 inches high by 17-19 inches wide) and baby blankets.

In addition to donated items, Stitchers of Hope accepts tax-deductible donations of any amount which can be made out to “Return Hope International 501(c)3” with a check note of “Stitchers of Hope.”

Those interested in learning how the baby blankets are made are invited to visit on a Stitchers of Hope workday every first and third Wednesday of each month anytime from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Rooms 5 and 6 (upper parking lot), 16150 E. El Lago Blvd.

Those interested in sewing are encouraged to bring their sewing machines, however, there are plenty of items to do for those who don’t know how to sew.

The drop-off location for donated items is at Christ Church of Fountain Hills, 15555 E. Bainbridge Ave., Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information about Pipeline Worldwide, visit pipelineworldwide.org. For more information about Operation Christmas Child, visit samaritanspurse.org.

For more information about Stitchers of Hope or to request a donation pickup, contact Eileen Danko at eileendanko@gmail.com or by calling 480-220-8329, Wendy Dachel at wendydoc@aol.com or by calling 480-678-5828 or Joan Pittsenbarger at joanpittsaz98@gmail.com.