The Riverbend Yarn Bombers set a goal to make 500 baby hats for donation to Alton Memorial Hospital’s Women’s Health and Childbirth Center. On April 17, it was bombs away. The actual total was 527 hats brought to AMH, a donation warmly appreciated by WHCC manager Jessica Mossman and her staff.
“Last December, someone shared a Facebook post that Alton Memorial needed baby hats, said Robin Berry, creative coordinator of the Yarn Bombers. “I knew I needed to let people know about this but I wasn’t ready to coordinate it at that time.”
Through the group’s Facebook page, it was arranged to have a group meet at Jacoby Arts Center in downtown Alton on Tuesday nights, and things took off from there.
“I created a very simple crochet pattern and knit pattern for those who needed one and we had lots of baby yarn donated that we encouraged our makers to take,” Berry said. “We met so many new fiber friends along the way. We had some beautiful people help out, from experienced crocheters to a beginner like Meghan Nelson, who taught herself to crochet and she crocheted 35 baby hats in three weeks."
Then there’s Chad Ingram, the only guy in the group.
“Chad rocked it out of the ballpark, making 121 hats,” Berry said. “Chad is legally blind and has an area in his home where he can record his hands and view them on screen where he’s able to see what his hands are doing. He was an inspiration to us all.
“This event was put together so fast that I’m surprised how fast people were able to work on hats. It was inspiring to see people get involved.”.
Rachel Lappin, executive director of Jacoby Arts Center, was more than happy to host the Yarn Bombers.
"Thank you to BJC HealthCare and Alton Memorial Hospital for the annual sponsorship donation to Jacoby Arts Center,” Lappin said. “Our sponsors and donors help us provide free community art programs at JAC, and space, materials and support for local artists like the Riverbend Yarn Bombers. Robin and all the Riverbend Yarn Bombers are so generous with their talent. Our thanks to them for their nonstop enthusiasm and creativity, and for enriching our community through art.”
Above: Members of the Riverbend Yarn Bombers present 527 baby hats to Renee Strowmatt and Jessica Mossman (holding the basket) of the Women's Health and Childbirth Center. Yarn Bombers, left to right, are Robin Berry, Chad Ingram, Rachel Lappin of Jacoby Arts Center and Meghan Nelson.