Chelsey Helveston, created a crochet club, and little did she know that she was going to change her community. Chelsey like many individuals who enter the world of crochet was introduced by an older family member. Chelsey is the type of person one would not expect to crochet. As a young girl, Chelsey has always been intrigued by her Aunt Ruthanne (Ruthie) crocheting. By watching and observing her aunt, Chelsey learned how to crochet. In high school Chelsey was a part of the International Baccalaureate Program, that required her to create a project that would help her community. So, Chelsey took the thing that she loved and made it into her own personal project that would later benefit her community. Her love of crocheting led her to create a club.

The club was called “Crocheting for a Cause”, and in this club, the members crocheted baby hats and blankets for premature babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and children in the Golisano Children Hospital. This hospital treats children with illnesses from babies to children up to 17. Before this club, Chelsey would regularly visit the children in this hospital and she wanted to help the children.

At first Chelsey was skeptical whether people would join a club like crocheting, but she went with it. Chelsey mentioned that she would use the effects of crocheting as a recruitment tactic. Chelsey believes that there are many benefits to crocheting. She believes that it is very relaxing, and it allows her to take her mind off of everyday stress. Many of them wanted an activity that would be relaxing, so they joined this club. Every Tuesday at two o’clock, Chelsey and the members of the club would get together and crochet hats for babies in need. One thing that is interesting about this club is that many people who have joined the club do not actually know how to crochet. From the start, the club has been small. Chelsey was a little concern on the initial size of the club, but then soon realized that the small club was an advantage rather than a disadvantage. Chelsey saw that by having fewer members, she was able to personally help the members crochet. She thought that if she helped the members learn the basics of crocheting they would be able to go home and practice on their own.

Although this was a challenge for Chelsey, she embraced every aspect. Chelsey utilized videos and books as a way to teach the members how to crochet. She found the videos especially helpful because it allowed for the members to crochet without her. It also made it easier, because people were able to work at their own pace. Chelsey also used Facebook as an inspiration on certain styles for hats. Her Aunt Ruthie added her to a Fort Myers crocheting group as a way to communicate with other crocheters. She found this very helpful because many of the members were able to give her tips and tricks on crocheting hats.

  To Chelsey, “Crocheting for a Cause” is more than just a club, it’s a way to bond and help the community. She loves the fact that she is able to help a family in need and bring a smile to a child’s face. Her passion for this hobby turned into something that benefitted her community.