Our philanthropy efforts assist local organizations through hands-on projects and contributions.
Helping the Homeless
Kansas City Athenaeum members have conducted an ongoing project sewing KC Community Bags for The Sewing Labs since 2020. That agency has partnered with Volunteer KC who prints canvas fabric with emergency resources for homeless individuals. One side of the bag has a Kansas City street map, and the other side lists locations for assistance resources. Our members' involvement has completed 345 bags for the project's distribution to the homeless.
Meeting Truman Medical Center Needs
Kansas City Athenaeum members have been knitting and crocheting to fill requested needs at University Health Truman Medical Center. More than 1,500 infant hats have been donated since January 2021. Members have also knitted and crocheted booties and baby blankets, as well as making flannel receiving blankets and burp cloths. These all support the newborn care needs at the hospital. Other ongoing projects include sewing dozens of patient tote bags and infusion pump bags for the cancer center, plus 665 eyeglass cases for the eye clinic.
Sweet Dreams for Seniors
Since 2020 Kansas City Athenaeum has annually supported the Sweet Dreams for Seniors Pillowcase Project conducted by The Sewing Labs. Our members have sewn 364 pillowcases for local senior centers. Each recipient receives one pillowcase made from holiday fabric and the other from everyday fabric.
The Benefits of Teamwork
Kansas City Athenaeum members work diligently to fulfill community needs. Yards and yards of fleece were generously provided by The Sewing Labs so our members could make 435 fleece hats and 162 fleece scarves. These were distributed to Amethyst Place, Missouri Girls Town, Operation Breakthrough, Scraps KC, True Light Family Resource Center, Veterans Community Project, and the Clothes Closet at Central Presbyterian Church. Learning about our distribution plan, The Sewing Labs contributed 200 additional sets of fleece hats and scarves sewn in an earlier volunteer project where our members also participated. Leftover fleece pieces were used to make 40 gift bags for a Christmas project at Amethyst Place where children could select jewelry to give to their mothers. The jewelry was donated by our members and friends.