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Looping together community
HATS OFF Caroline Harvey, a sophomore at St. John’s School, found a way to help the homeless through something she already enjoyed: crochet.
If you live in Houston, you know that homelessness is a significant issue. According to Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County, over 3,000 people living in Houston are currently homeless. Two summers ago, I asked myself what I could do to help those in need. I knew I couldn’t solve the struggles faced by over 3,000 people, but I hoped to focus on a particular need and do what I could to help.
Ultimately, I decided I could contribute through something I already loved: crochet. I decided to crochet hats for the homeless, since clothes are one of the most needed items. Though I had begun crocheting two years before, I had never made a hat. However, with the help of online tutorials, it soon became easy. I started the project by myself, and then taught my family to crochet. Gathered around the living room, it became a fun summer activity. At first, the chains of yarn came out uneven, and we laughed at my cousin’s attempt at a hat that looked more like a bowl. But after a little practice, they got the hang of it. By the end of the summer, we’d crocheted more than 100 hats.
During the school year, I took over St. John’s Crochet Club to include others in my “Cozy Hats” project. I didn’t expect what happened: Suddenly, students were coming to meetings every week wanting to learn to crochet hats. It was a huge success, with students at all skill levels eager to pitch in. So far, with the help of my family and SJS students, we have made more than 400 hats to donate to the Coalition for the Homeless.
This project allowed me to appreciate all that I take for granted, like how lucky I am to have warm clothes and heating during Houston’s unpredictable winter freezes. I also learned how important giving back to my community is, no matter how small the contribution might seem. So, if you are hesitant to volunteer or start a service project because you feel your contributions don’t matter, remember that nothing is too small, and one person can make a difference.
If you’d like to donate crocheted or knitted hats, please email [email protected].
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