Winter is here and it’s cold outside.
Ahead of this winter season, members of the Stitching Society, a nonprofit organization/club at Hightstown High School as well as outside of school, is in their first year of giving back. They spent the past year and a half educating members of the inner workings of using yarn and transforming them into winter gear – blankets, hats, mittens, scarves, head wraps – you name it.
The society has already donated 150 to 175 or so items that were made to RISE, a local nonprofit that helps support individuals and families in need. Purva Patel, founder of the nonprofit society and Rhyan Greene, vice president, recently made another donation of blankets they were able to purchase through donations and stitched hats, mittens, scarves and headscarves.
“Our goal is to not only share the tangible contributions we’re making but also to inspire others in the community to join the cause or start similar initiatives,” Patel said.
It was last year when Patel reached out to RISE through their Instagram page.
“We basically asked to partner with them and look for donations,” she said. “Many people can’t afford [winter items]. They welcomed us with open arms and we have been able to work with them and make more donations.”
RISE donated four to five boxes of yarn after their initial correspondence. The members got to work and the students are seeing the outcome so far.
“Last year we had this idea of thinking about all the people who need these winter items in winter and how many people can’t afford it,” Patel said. “Being able to do something to help the community this way has been really fun and really rewarding.”
“It’s so important to us,” Greene added. “Everything is just very expensive and it’s hard to prepare for the upcoming months.”
Along with making items, the society has partnered with other school organizations and held fundraisers.
During the Halloween season, the students made little ghosts and pumpkins and sold them at school, which went into donated funds for the society. This year, members crocheted items for the drama club’s Cabaret.
Currently the society has close to 80 members of all high school grade levels.
Patel and Greene are seniors and are joined by Keira Santiago, also a senior and serving as co-vice president.
Sophomore Isa Rodriguez heads the society’s public relations and Manav Gade, a junior, serves as treasurer.
RISE is a center of social support in central New Jersey, focusing on Hightstown and East Windsor. They help families and individuals overcome obstacles. For more information visit https://njrise.org.
