Stitch-a-Wish Volunteers

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Stitch-a-Wish volunteers are an important part of the care that Cook Children's provides to pediatric patients and their families.

Stitch-a-Wish volunteers sew, knit, and crochet for the patients at Cook Children's. The program provides the patients with colorful, child friendly pillowcases that brighten their rooms; medical play therapy dolls that help patients learn about and understand the medical procedures they undergo; telemetry bibs that allow toddlers mobility even while attached to heart or seizure monitoring equipment; blankets to brighten the child's room and bring them warmth and comfort, and knitted or crocheted purple baby hats to remind parents to keep their infants safe. These items, and many others, are utilized daily throughout the medical center for comfort, therapeutic play, arts and crafts, and safety.

A vision of the Stitch-a-Wish program is that all patients (2 years and older) receive their very own small pillow and pillowcase to use during their stay and take home with them upon discharge. As a non-profit pediatric hospital, this can only happen through the support of volunteers and donors who are willing to give of their time and resources. Our invitation to sew, knit, or crochet is extended to everyone interested in volunteering from home. For more information on the program please contact Christy Beck, Stitch-a-Wish Program Coordinator, at christy.beck@cookchildrens.org or 682-885-4590.

Important information - please read

All items must come from a smoke free environment.
All items must be washed and, if needed, ironed. This is for the protection of our patients.
We no longer accept items made of fleece due to infection control reasons (flannel and minky fabrics are OK).
Due to many religious preferences of our patients, please do not use any fabric or wording that has a religious connotation as it limits our ability to utilize the items with the patients.
Please be sure to check all items for straight pins.

Sewn items

Pillowcases

Small pillowcases (15"x24")
Large pillowcases (21"X30") (currently not needed)
Suggested fabrics
General rules for pillowcases

Blankets (currently not needed)

Bags

Preemie, newborn, and infant needs:

Lovies
Gel pad covers
Taglets (currently not needed)

Medical:

Surgery scrub cap (currently not needed)
Tele bibs (for toddlers)
Tele bags (for older children and teens)
G button covers

Crocheted or knitted items

(currently not needed)

Critical needs

As needs arise we send out emails to the volunteers to keep them updated on special needs and things we are running low on. In order to be added to the email list, please fill out a stitch-a-wish application located under Become a Stitch-a-Wish Volunteer or feel free to contact the Stitch-a-Wish Program Coordinator, Christy Beck to find out if there are any specific needs.

Duties of the Stitch-a-Wish volunteer

The purpose of the Stitch-a-Wish volunteer is to provide the patients with handsewn items that are utilized throughout the medical center for comfort, therapeutic play, arts and crafts, and safety. Many of these items would normally not be available for the children were it not for the stitchers. There is no minimum hourly or project commitment.

Stitchers will:

Supply their own materials for the sewing projects or seek donations for same under the guidance of the program coordinator, Christy Beck
Wash all items before donating them to Cook Children's
Follow the patterns provided on this page. Check with staff before altering patterns. Fabric patterns can vary from infant to teen prints, for boys and girls
Ensure that buttons, google eyes, or other notions are well-secured on the items to prevent a choking hazard
Check each item carefully to ensure that all pins, needles, etc. have been removed
Drop off or mail items to Volunteer Services for distribution
Since Cook Children's is a non-profit agency, we ask that you please keep track of the hours spent working on projects (shopping for supplies, sewing, ironing, delivering, etc.) and turn them in with your sewn items. Volunteer hours should be recorded on donor forms which are supplied by Cook Children's
Fill out a donation form (for your records and ours) and turn it in with your Stitcher project

This volunteer placement reports to the Stitch-a-Wish Coordinator and/or the Volunteer Program Coordinator.

Qualifications:

Sewing, knitting, or crocheting experience (projects range from beginner level to expert)
There is no minimum hourly or project commitment
Sewing skills. Knitting or crocheting skills
Able to supply own materials

NOTE: Due to the many respiratory illnesses or allergies that some of our patients have, we ask that items be sewn in a smoke-free environment and that pets do not come into contact with the fabrics. All items must be washed before being delivered to Cook Children's.

Directions

Stitcher project can be hand-delivered to:

Cook Children's Medical Center
801 Seventh Ave, Ft. Worth, 76104
Volunteer Services Dept., 1st floor, across from the atrium.

Stitcher projects can be mailed to:

Cook Children's
ATTN: Christy Beck, Stitch-a-Wish Coordinator
Volunteer Services
801 7th Ave
Fort Worth TX 76104

Additional Requirements / Information

Schedule: Flexible hours
Helping Hands: Yes

Coordinators for this assignment

Christy Beck
Email: christy.beck@cookchildrens.org
Work: 682-885-4590
Position: Volunteer Supervisor
Job title: Volunteer Program Coordinator

About the Stitch-a-Wish program

The Stitch-a-Wish program was formed in October 2005 when a call went out to the community for people who sewed to give their time and talents to hospitalized children by providing them with items that normally would not be available. The message was heard and the program has grown tremendously. Since the start of the Stitch-a-Wish program, tens of thousands of items have been sewn and donated to sick and injured children. The needs are ongoing and continue to grow as Stitchers create more items that make the young patients' hospital stay as pleasant and comfortable as possible.

Become a Stitch-a-Wish volunteer

Apply to become a stitch-a-wish volunteer

In-kind donation form

Stitcher donation form

Contact the Stitch-a-Wish Program Coordinator

Christy Beck
Volunteer Services
Cook Children's Medical Center
801 Seventh Ave
Fort Worth, TX 76104
682-885-4590
christy.beck@cookchildrens.org