Stories from Project Room Volunteers

Check out these posts regarding our Project Room Volunteers and why they love helping Hearts Knit Together:  

"After retiring from my elementary school teaching career of 40 years, I felt a BIG void in my life. I was missing being around and helping sweet enthusiastic children and working with wonderful and caring adults.  From the moment I first stepped into the Destinations "Hearts Knit Together" project room, I knew I had found the solution to this emptiness. I didn't want to leave!  It's like playing at Santa's Workshop everyday. I LOVE being there! Since that day, my heart and my head have never been far from there. Also, being a dedicated bargain shopper my eyes are always open for that "special little something" to add some extra sparkle to our kits  I guess you could say that I'm committed, because I've even caught myself happily designing kits in my sleep. I am so glad I get to be a small part of this GREAT world of caring and dedicated givers.  Each day I feel so grateful and blessed to be able to serve My Heavenly Father and his children through this project."

- Kathryn Cheever

"I was looking for something to fill my time after retiring from the Salt Lake County Library System. One day I was brought here by friends. The third time I came alone and have been here close to three years. I knew that my life now had a purpose. The place was well organized. During these three years the place has expanded 3-4 fold. I've witnessed "miracle" happen here. When we got low on items or money, donations have poured in. This has been a testimony to me that the Lord has had His hand on this work all along. I am grateful that I've been led to this place to fulfill my time."

- Karen Rasmussen

"I have seen personally, as a nurse visiting a YWCA, the joy that our kits bring to mothers and children. As I've recently retired and been able to help more at our project, my life has been so blessed. I have also learned more about putting a kit together. I love to see a kit come alive!"

- Mary Jarrett

"Hearts Knit Together is a wonderful program. I love to see how the kits come together for the mothers and children. I know that there is a lot of love in each kit."

- Kathy Stoddard

"I love the women working here and it is FUN! I love to do service and I couldn't not share what Heavenly Father has blessed me with serving my sisters who are less fortunate. There is such a good feeling here and at Hearts Knit Together and I'll say it again. It's FUN!"

- Carla Neil

"I am a retired pediatric P.T. who goes on Humanitarian trips for the LDS Church. I was looking for something to do between trips. After hearing Linda speak about this charity, I decided "I can do this!" I feel like my skills and awareness have improved greatly through serving at Hearts Knit Together. I love the "girls" I work with and know that the cause is critical for families in stress. Thanks for allowing me to help!"

- Evelyn Fredrick

"About 3 years ago, Linda came to our River Ridge 8th Ward. After her talk about the project for abused women and children, she sat at my table and gave us more information. I decided to give her my phone number. I have been helping once a week since then. I love helping. It's very rewarding and fun to work with the ladies."

- Peg Smith

"I love volunteering at Hearts Knit Together. It is a very positive, happy place to help serve people in bad situations. My favorite kits to make are the baby kits, because the clothes and toys and blankets are so sweet and fun to work with. I enjoy making baby bibs and burp cloths to match the theme of the kits. All the volunteers are so sweet and excited about serving here. It makes coming here a joy!"

- Nancy Vance

"What I enjoy so much in serving here at Hearts Knit Together is seeing all the work and talent that goes into a kit! They end up perfectly themed and color-coordinated. I really enjoy this service of giving to abused women and children."

- Cozette Toone

"I have felt strongly prompted to come and work with Hearts Knit Together for several years now. Now that I am semi-retired, I am happy to spend my spare moments helping to build this wonderful organization. I am constantly struck by the many "tender mercies" from our Father in Heaven, which happen every day in this inspired work."

- Maxine Rasmussen

"I am a retired school teacher. I found out about Hearts Knit Together from my homemaking leader. We invited Linda Simmons to come to our Relief Society meeting and present to our sisters. My heart was so touched by all the good this organization does. I have been serving for a year on Tuesday afternoon and putting children's kits together. This makes me feel I can still make a difference in children's lives. I love it! I look forward to my time  here and truly enjoy working with the ladies as well. I feel so blessed."

- Nadine Andersen

Stories in the News

The Park Record March 3, 2015 wrote an article about Amy Kellogg's day of service event. "Park City resident Amy Kellogg organized a mother daughter journal decorating session early this month. The group made more than 42 journals that were donated to Hearts Knit Together. On Valentine's day weekend, Kellogg wanted to do a special mother and daughter activity with her 11 year old daughter, so she came up with the idea to make and decorate journals they could donate to Hearts Knit Together. Amy said, "We invited our friends and there were 20 sets of mother daughters between the ages of 6 and 51. We told them to bring a fabulous dish to eat and we would provide all the decorating materials. We enjoyed doing this so much that we decided to make this an annual tradition. It was a great way to spend some purposeful time together. Introducing youth to important issues such as domestic violence is important to Kellogg. "For the most part our children live a sheltered life in Park City. It's a pretty safe place and there isn't a lot of exposure to domestic violence, but we know that Peace House (a domestic violence shelter in Park City) is a very busy place. I have learned that there are children that are the same age as my kids who have to take shelter there, Kellogg said. "So I feel if we don't talk about it or address these things we are doing disservice. I have sons who need to know that it is NOT ok and my daughters need to know the way they will feel best about themselves is from the inside out, not the outside in and that way they can know value of themselves." Kellogg also sees the importance of exposing her children to service. 

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