KCU Stitches club officers Hannah Hart and Josephine Yii with items donated to Della Lamb Community Services. | Photo by Dorri Partain

Dorri Partain

Managing Editor

Medical students enrolled at Kansas City University (KCU)  have spent the past school year practicing their stitches — crocheting and knitting stitches, that is — to craft items, both cozy and cute, for distribution to area organizations.

KCU — a university devoted to the study of osteopathic medicine — draws students from across the U.S. and internationally  to Kansas City. Located at 1750 Independence Blvd., this facility has focused on providing service to the community surrounding its campus.

Last fall, a group of University students gathered to start a new club, dubbed “KCU Stitches.” This club’s motto, “stitching the gap between care and creations” and its mission has attracted 60 students eager to learn the art of crocheting and knitting to benefit others.

During their first semester, these stitching students crafted and gifted 45 scarves, 25 beanies, seven blankets and a headband to Care Beyond the Boulevard — an organization that provides clothing and care items for the unhoused. For their spring semester project, club members focused on creating baby beanies and toys to donate.

On Friday, May 23, club members Hannah Hart and Josphine Yii dropped off dozens of cuddly crocheted creations at Della Lamb Community Services, 500 Woodland Ave.

KCU Stitches club vice president Hart and Yii — director of community outreach — joined the club last fall and neither had much experience knitting or crocheting previously, they said during an interview.

Hart explained that club members pay dues, which fund the purchase of yarn, needles and patterns and members can select the projects they want to create. Club sessions include  lessons, support and “sip and stitch” gatherings. Students often work on projects during breaks between classes as well.

Neither Yii or Hart had an exact number of items donated to Della Lamb but guesstimated around 40 or so, with each member making up to two items. Sea creatures, including a jellyfish, fishes, a crab, baby seal and hammerhead sharks (crocheted by Hart) were joined by a bee (crafted by Yii), a strawberry and a mini pie, among other items.

Della Lamb staff member Ellie Colvin accepted the donation on behalf of the organization. In an email, she explained that the toys were offered to children that accompanied their parents during case manager meetings so they would have something to play with or take home and extended her appreciation for the student’s donation.

“Thank you KCU Stitches Club for making an impact on these children’s experiences as it simply brought life to some of the kids as they saw all the different animals, and even got to take a lovey home!” said Colvin.

Now that Hart and Yii have completed their freshman year at KCU, they will return to their families in California for a summer break. Over the summer, Hart said she plans to get a head start on fall donation projects of blankets and scarves.

KCU offers students numerous clubs they can join to enhance their studies, find other students with similar interests or contribute to the community.