Scarves From The Heart A Non-Profit Group

About Us

Contest Winner: Becky G in Mississippi

Over 1,000 yards of Yarn! Fantastic, fun, funky, and flirty!

1 skein Ironstone Yarns "Showstopper" in color 204, 100 yds
5 skeins Paton's VooDoo in color Night Sky, 166 yds total
4 skeins Laines Du Nord Ombre in color 53, 298 yds total
2 skein Paton's Divine color Chantilly Rose, 284 yds and some brand name, mystery yarn not shown in the photo or listed
Book - Bags - a knitter's dozen.

History:
Scarves from the Heart began in August 2006 as I challenged a local group of knitters and crocheters to make scarves for a local cancer center. It was my way of dealing with my anguish over the fight against cancer which two of my loved ones were waging. I called the Sister Mary Pia Cancer Center (Now known as the St. Joseph's Regional Cancer Center) at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Stockton, CA to ask if they could use scarves that we knitted. My call was directed to Jim Linderman, the cancer activities director of the center. After some explanation of my idea, Jim said he felt they could make use of the scarves. I invited Jim to speak at our Saturday meeting where he explained how the scarves would be used for an upcoming retreat. The initial number of scarves needed was estimated to be twenty-three. Later I learned, the retreat did not happen due to extenuating circumstances, thus the Center decided to give the scarves to newly diagnosed patients who wanted one. Knowing the active core of our group was very small, I decided to post on my blog about the project to attempt to draw the attention of other knitters and crocheters who might be willing to help with the project. I also talked about it on the other Yahoo groups I belong to. In my mind I set a goal of 25 scarves, by the end of September we had 50 scarves to give to the cancer center. The warm feeling that flooded my heart when I delivered those scarves, some of which came from as far away as Australia and Israel, was enough to tell me that this project should not end with that delivery. Since that first delivery, I have had a total of 180 scarves donated and the project continues to grow. The most recent donation was shared between the Sister Mary Pia Cancer Center and Stockton Hematology Oncology. Each donated scarf has a handwritten tag attached that lists the first name and initial of the last name of the person who made it, the fiber content, and laundry instructions.

In December of 2006 after making a second donation of 50 scarves I knew the project needed a name. I decided to use my blog to publicize a contest to find a name and asked Jim Linderman and his staff to choose the winner. With a little advertisement I garnered over 125 suggested names and the overwhelming favorite was “Scarves from the Heart” suggested by a woman from Tennessee. Scarves from the Heart continues to be volunteer based as one of our knitter’s asked her sister, who is a professional graphic artist for Artefact Design, to offer her services in designing the logo and she graciously donated her time and talent.

Future:
Early on we donated scarves in lots of 50, but that isn't always possible, so future donations will be as needed. I had hoped there would always be more scarves waiting to be donated, but it seems that is not the way things happen. However, the willingness of others to donate scarves to the cancer center has been an indication to me that Scarves from the Heart has a future. With the appropriate direction I hope the project will gain wider recognition, along with a much larger group of participants knitting and crocheting scarves. As that group of crafters increases I intend to add even more recipients to our list. Recipients such as St. Teresa’s cancer center, women’s and homeless shelters, and children’s homes.

As the project grew, I began plans to start a web site. Also under consideration are application for non-profit status, and exploring the possibility of having the logo registered as a trademark. With the help of both local residents and the larger knitting and crocheting community, I feel confident that if we reach the above goals we will find many willing hands and hearts to accomplish the making of the scarves.

With the help of corporate and private donations we hope to find the necessary funds to provide free yarn to those willing to make scarves who can not afford it, as well as to youth groups and service groups who would be willing to make scarves. We will also be seeking sponsors or funds to support a web site, provide more professionally designed tags (also being designed by Artefact Design), have the logo registered, and cover other future expenses which could arise. Currently our expenses are minimal, gas to deliver the scarves, pens to write the tags, and ink and paper for letters, which are currently underwritten by the founder. Future expenses that could be expected are postage, web design, printing, transportation, legal services, services of an accountant, and eventually storage and/or work space and expenses that would be associated with that space.

About the Founder:
My name is Shirley (Shelly) Heikkinen, I am a wife, mother, and grandmother who in 2001 retired from my office job. I have a 43 year old daughter who is battling cancer, and recently lost my younger sister to cancer. At the time I began this venture, neither my daughter or sister lived close enough for me to be able to help them with physical needs, so my role was that of moral support. Their battles left me with a lot of negative emotions that were not conducive to my own physical health, worry was taking a toll on me and I knew I needed to do something about it. One night lying in bed I got the idea to knit scarves for cancer patients, I knew that neither my daughter nor sister would want it done in their names so I decided to do something locally. The next morning I called the St. Joseph's Regional Cancer Center (formerly the Sister Mary Pia Cancer Center) and Scarves from the Heart began.

You may view her blog at http://theyarntart.blogspot.com