Welcome

Care Wear is a nationwide group of volunteers who knit, crochet, and/or sew, providing handmade items directly  to hospitals & social service agencies.   All Care Wear items are distributed by hospital or agency staff  [FREE] to patients of all ages. Contact information for Care Wear Volunteers: Bonnie Hagerman (301-620-2858 or 301-695-5530 or carewear@comcast.net) 








Care Wear Volunteers, Inc.
Bonnie Hagerman
102 Mercer Court
Suite #23-5
Frederick, MD 21701

Phone: 301-620-2858
Fax: 301-620-2858
Carewear@comcast.net

IRS approved 501 (c)(3) organization.
Current Form 990 available on request.

OCTOBER 19th is the date for this year's Make a Difference Day.  Mark your calendar.  More details coming.  

WELCOME C.G.O.A.
  Care Wear Volunteers welcomes participants in the 2024 Chapter Challenge: Shawls.    A booklet of information and patterns has been prepared for you and is posted under menu item PATTERNS.  Scroll down and click to open.  You will find patterns for rectangular shawls in three skill levels (Easy, Intermediate, & Advanced) and patterns for triangular shawls in the same three skill levels.   Please donate locally to help your own community. (FYI:  Nursing Homes are usually very pleased to receive donated shawls.)   Or, consult the Care Wear Volunteers Hospital List (Menu Item HOSPITALS) to search your area for hospitals, etc. that request shawls.  If all else fails, you may ship, mail, or deliver finished shawls to me for delivery where needed here in the Frederick area.  BEST WISHES TO ALL OF THE PARTICIPATING CHAPTERS!   Bonnie Hagerman (carewear@comcast.net, 301-695-5530, 301-693-0904, or 301-620-2858), 

BIRTHRIGHT OF LOUDUN COUNTY (VA)  added the following items to their needs list--SHAWLS, car seat blankets, and crib size afghans. New Executive Director--Zoe Byer (zoebyer@birthrightofLoudoun.com  (2/27/2024)

Re: Hospital Listings  As a result of COVID there has been a great deal of employee turnover at hospitals across the country.  Care Wear Volunteers has not been notified of the changes and is trying to update hospital listings.   If you encounter returned e-mails or unanswered letters, please call the hospital directly asking for the specific department in the hospital listing.  OR call Volunteer Services and chat with the Director.   Describe what you wish to donate and ask if the department is accepting that item.  Maybe offer to send a sample for the department to see and respond if needed.    OR contact the hospital nearest you and explore whether or not the items you wish to make can be used there.   Save postage and help your own community, if possible.  (11/18/2023)


JAMES STOCKMAN CANCER INSTITUTE (FREDERICK HEALTH HOSPITAL) requests shawls, tote bags, and zippered bags for patients.  (November 2023).

DELETED HOSPITAL: ALBANY MEDICAL CENTER (Albany, NY) asked to have their hospital listing deleted.  Please do not call or send anything to Albany Medical Center,  See the Care Wear Volunteers Hospital List to locate another hospital to which you can send finished items.  August 30, 2023.

NEW LISTING:  FOSTER LOVE MINISTRIES (Attn: Jil Mobley, 4520 New Jesup Hwy, Brunswick GA 31520, requests blankets, loveys, teddy bears/toys for children from a few days old to teens.  Hair accessories for teens.   Contact person Jill Mobley 301-213-0568 or info@fosterloveministries.com  (Feb 2024)

NEW HOSPITAL:  MEMORIAL HOSPITAL MIRAMAR (LABOR & DELIVERY, ATTN: SHARON FRANKEL, RN, 1901 sw 172ND AVENUE, MIRAMAR, FL 33029) 954-538-5176   SHFRANKEL@MHS.NET.  Request bereavement sets for preemie and full-term sizes.  Need only a few micro-preemie.   Asking for gowns, kimonos, wraps, hats, and blankets in any colors or patterns for their angel babies.  (June 2023).  
 
New Contact Persons:  U C HEALTH HIGHLANDS RANCH HOSPITAL, Attn: Perinatal Loss Labor & Delivery--3rd floor, 1500 Park Central Drive, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129. Requesting BURIAL GOWNS or kimonos in all sizes/in all colors or fun patterns except white.  Also request booties.   They have a good supply of hats and blankets and don't need more unless part of a matching set. Contact persons: Shawna Hert, Manager, Shawna.Hert@uchealth.org  and Laurie Granados.    Laurie.Granados@UCHealth.org  (original listing September 6, 2021 revised May 31, 2023).

LYNCHBURG GENERAL HOSPITAL (Sylvia Beamer, Director of Volunteer Services) asks to delete "Lovies" (very small baby bankets) from the list of needs.  Sylvia requests "Holiday" baby hats--in colors for the major holidays as well as knitted, corchet, or fleece stress balls for therapy patients.  Other needs: baby blankets (30 inch square and larger), stuffed animals, and prayer shawls.  Address: 1901 Tate Springs Road, Lynchburg VA 24501   (April 2023)

NEW LISTING: GENTLE WINGS, a nonprofit photography service, Attn: Dana Duffney, 635 Northern Heights Drive NE, Rochester, MN 55906-4069, requests 10" x !0" fabric, knit, or crochet bags/sacks--with zipper, drawstring or handles or open with a facing or finished edge.  14" x 14" blankets and 6" x 4" pillows of white with lace trims or soft pastel or delicate print fabrics to use as props in photos.  Crochet or knit bears in small and very small sizes--with a straight or sad mouth embroidered on them.  Shrouds in a variety of sizes--fabric, knit, or crochet--in rainbow colors or butterfly print fabrics.   For questions contact Dana--dana@gentlewings.org or 507-272-0156.  (April 2023). 

Request for donated items: Frederick Health Hospital, Attn: Office of Volunteer Services, 400 West 7th Street, Frederick MD 21701 appeals for FIDGET BLANKETS, full-term baby hats, baby quilts, baby blankets, neck & cough pillows (sewn, but not stuffed), lap blankets for adults, tote bags for home health nurses to bring to recently discharged patients.   GREATEST NEED IS FIDGET BLANKETS.  (1/30/2023)

Request for donated items:  The Stockman Cancer Institute (Frederick Health Hospital) requests lap blankets, prayer shawls, chemotherapy hats, and tote bags.  Deliver to: Jodi Gerber, Oncology Social Worker, Stockman Cancer Institiute, 1562 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick MD 21702.   240-566-4698   (January 30, 2023)  Update March 9, 2023.  They need SHAWLS and bags, but not hats at this time.  Contact Jodi before delivery to be sure that they need the items at that time.  Needs are always changing and storage space is very limited.

New Hospital Listing:  ThedaCare Appleton (Attn: Stephanie Suprise, 4th floor Family Birth Center, 1818 North Meade Street, Appleton, WI 54911) requests preemie and micropreemie bereavement sets, including booties.  Will share surplus with sister hospital ThedaCare Neenah.  E-mail: Stephanie.Suprise@thedacare.org  Telephone: 920-419-8789).  October 3, 2022

CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF PHILADELPHIA (Shirelle Keys, Child Life Donations Coordinator wrote that this hospital will no longer be able to accept knitted items to be shared with their patients. E-mail: childlifedonations@chop.edu  Telephone: 267-426-4906.   (October 3, 2022)

ALBANY MEDICAL CENTER ( Office of Volunteer Services, Attn: Kim Read, 43 New Scotland Ave., MC-110, Albany, NY 12208) is no longer accepting knit or crochet items because they do not have sufficient storage space.  This is NOT a COVID related decision.   (October 3, 2022)

NEW LISTING:  LYNCHBURG GENERAL HOSPITAL (ATTN: SYLVIA BEAMER--VOLUNTEER SERVICES 1901 TATE SPRINGS ROAD, LYNCHBURG, VA 24501) NEEDS BABY BLANKETS AT LEAST 28" SQUARE, PRAYER SHAWLS (30 INCH X 60 INCH) WITH FRINGE ON THE ENDS, ADULT LAP BLANKETS FOR CANCER PATIENTS AND KNEE/HIP SURGICAL PATIENTS, NECK PILLOWS (STUFFED OR UNSTUFFED) AND FABRIC/FIBERFILL TOYS (STUFFED OR UNSTUFFED).  SYLVIA HAS VOLUNTEERS TO STUFF TOYS AND NECK PILLOWS..  (9/21/2022)

GEISINGER CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
, Danville, PA requests Developmental Hearts and Breast Feeding Covers.  They remove "small cloth animals" from the listing.  Contact Phoebe Beckley for more information.    (September 8, 2022)

NEW LISTING: MERCY RETIREMENT & CARE CENTER (ATTN: LIFE ENRICHMENT COORDINATOR, 3431 FOOTHILL BLVD, OAKLAND CA 94601). REQUESTS WALKER CADDIES, FIDGET BLANKETS/APRONS,  KNIT OR CROCHET WHEELCHAIR LAP BLANKETS (30" X 30") AND 36" X 45" BLANKETS FOR PATIENTS IN RECLINERS.  NO QUILTS OR FLEECE, PLEASE.  CONTACT DENISE SANCHEZ FOR QUESTIONS (415-424-8505 OR DSANCHEZ@ELDERCAREALLIANCE.ORG).  AUGUST 3, 2022.

NEW LISTING:  WONDERS & WORRIES (9101 Burnet Rd, Suite 205, Austin, TX 78758) requests blank medical-surgical dolls to help children cope with a parent;'s illness.  Maria Patino, Child Life Assistant/Resource Navigator is the contact person.  Maria@wondersandworries.org  Telephone 512-329-5757 Ext 315  (March 2022). 

ST. LUKE'S UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL (Attn: Barbara Raab, BSN, RNC-NIC,  NICU Family Support Program Coordinator, 1872 St. Luke's Blvd, Easton, PA 18045) sent an update.  The address above is a new address for the NICU and L&D.  They are VERY VERY low on burial gowns and could use as many as possible--in all sizes.  They also need 4" x  4" Share Squares in soft, cotton fabric (flannel works well).  In addition to Barbara, Alexia Spartow is a second contact person.  E-mail: alexia.sparrow@sluhn.org   E-mail for Barbara is Barbara.Raab@sluhn.org     (October 1, 2021)  FEBRUARY 23, 2022 UPDATE: They have a good supply of burial gowns to last several months. Don't send more without calling to check on their supply. 

NEW LISTING:  UCHEALTH HIGHLANDS RANCH HOSPITAL, Attn: Perinatal Loss Labor & Delivery--3rd floor, 1500 Park Central Drive, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129. Requesting BURIAL GOWNS or kimonos in all sizes/in all colors or fun patterns except white.  Also request booties.   They have a good supply of hats and blankets and don't need more unless part of a matching set. Contact person: Brooke Scott (303-880-4059 or brooke.scott@uchealth.org   (September 6, 2021).


FREDERICK HEALTH HOSPICE (Attn; Dianne Elizabeth, Volunteer Services Coordinator, 1 Frederick Health Way, Frederick MD 21701) requests 4' x 4' blankets in patriotic/military/camouflage designs to enchance their Veteran End of Life care.  Also requesting adult neck pillows (thick, soft, supportive) as well as Alzheimer's Activity Blankets for their patients.  The pattern for our NECK PILLOW is found on page 82 of the 2018 Patteren & Information Book.  The directions for the Alzheimer's Activity Blanket are found in the September 2021 newsletter (page 9).   See the Care Wear Volunteers website (See Menu items: PATTERNS and NEWSLETTERS) for both patterns. Contact information: 240-566-3038  or DElizabeth@frederick.health  (FEBRUARY 2022)

BEACON CHLDREN'S HOSPITAL (part of Memorial Hospital), South Bend, IN (615 N. Michigan Street, South Bend, IN 46615) urgently requests blankets for pediatric patients of all ages. Send Attn: Katie Baxley or other Child Life Staff member.  (June 10, 2021)

FREDERICK MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (FREDERICK HEALTH HOSPITAL) requests Alzheimer's Aprons and full-term baby hats.  FHH will also accept adult blankets, adult shawls, walker caddies, and baby quilts.  Deliver finished items to the Security Desk at the Main Entrance.  Label the bag or box "Volunteer Services" OR, mail to Frederick Health Hospital, Attn: Sharon Hannaby, Volunteer Services, 400 West Seventh Street, Frederick MD 21701.    E-mail shannaby@frederick.health  Telephone: 240-566-3567.  (FEBRUARY 2022).


NEW HOSPITAL LISTING:  RARITAN BAY MEDICAL CENTER (Attn: Coordinator, Office of Patient Experience, 530 New Brunswick Avenue, Perth Amboy, New Jersey 08861) requests Fidget/Actiity Blankets & Aprons, Twiddle/Alzheimer's Muffs/Sensory Bands, and Handmade Stuffed Animals. Contact Person is Lamesha Wallace, 732-324-5086, Lamesha.Wallace@hackensackmeridian.org. Will share donated items with its Old Bridge NJ location.  (June 17, 2020)
 

FREDERICK HEALTH HOSPICE (VOLUNTEER SERVICES COORDINATOR--DIANNE ELIZABETH, 1 FREDERICK WAY, FREDERICK, MD 21701) requests fidget/activity blankets for their patients with dementia and Alzheimer's.   Although affiliated with Frederick Health Hospital (Frederick Memorial Hospital) they are in a different location and a completely different entity.  What is donated to the hospital does not go to this office.   By fidget/activity blankets, they are referring to the Alzheimer's aprons on page 78 and 79 of the 2018 Care Wear Volunteers Pattern & Information Book.   They also welcome Sensory Bands/Twiddle Muffs/Alzheimer's Activity Muffs found on pages 30-31 of the 2018 Care Wear Volunteers Pattern & Information Book.   The crochet version of this muff (page 35) follows the directions/dimensions of the knit version on pages 30-31.  When delivering or mailing to this office, please include "Attn: Dianne Elizabeth, Volunteer Department".   Please call her 240-566-3038 if you have any questions or to arrange a delivery.     Your help would be appreciated.  (June 10, 2020).  
 

KENTUCKY CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL (DEPT OF PEDIATRICS, Division of Pediatric Forensic Medicine, Attn: Jessica Harrison-Richart LPN, 138 Leader Avenue, Suite 129, Lexington, KY 40508) requests and is now accepting donated BLANKETS for ages newborn to 10 years of age and handmade STUFFED ANIMALS.  At this time they do NOT need HATS.   Gender neutral blankets are appreciated in addition to colors and prints for boys or girls.   Many thanks for helping this hospital.   (June3, 2020)

The JUNE 2020 Care Wear Volunteers newsletter (hard copy) that was mailed recently contains two page 28s and no page 29!  That was an error made by the printer after I approved a correct proof copy.   I will print the two pages of that pattern again in the September 2020 issue, but for anyone who wants to use that pattern, the second page can be found in the 2020 June newsletter that is posted on this website.  See Menu Item "NEWSLETTERS" and enter "2020 June" to bring up that issue.   You will find the second page of that crochet pattern in the posted copy.  It is page 29.   You can also find the pattern on the Bernat website (www.bernat.com).  Enter Sweet Lamb Crochet Hat to see the second page.   (May 21, 2020)

FREDERICK AREA VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO SEW HOSPITAL ISOLATION GOWNS.  
Sewing help is needed to sew hospital isolation gowns from kits that have been assembled.  Directions are in the bag with each kit and there are directions on YouTube.  If you can help, stop by the Development Office of Frederick Memorial Hospital/Frederick Health across from the main hospital building (telephone number 240-566-3478) for directions and hours.  Sew the isolation gowns at home and return to the Development Office when complteted.   The YouTube video is found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPoj3sfgcYU.  Thank you, if you can help sew these simple isolation gowns.   To discuss, contact Sharon Hannaby, Director, Volunteer Services, SHannaby@fmh.org.  (May 8, 2020)


SEWING MASKS AND MASK COVERS:   There are two patterns posted on this website--one for a simple mask and the other for a mask cover.  I was told that Frederick Memorial Hospital would provide the fabric to br used for the mask cover, but my request for additional details (where to pick up and where to drop off finished mask covers) has not been answered yet.   The contact person at Frederick Memorial Hospital is Sharon Hannaby in the Volunteer Office. (Shannaby@fmh.org).   Perhaps the need at FMH is not great yet as this area is still at the early stages of the spread of the coronavirus.   Let's hope that FMH is not overwhelmed with patients.  At any rate, the patterns are posted.   I recommend the JoAnn Fabrics website for several patterns for masks.  There are step-by-step pictures to help with assembly.   (March 27, 2020)

REQUESTS FOR MASK AND/OR MASK COVERS:
1.  KAISER PERMANENTE LOS ANGELES MEDICAL CENTER, ATTN: KATHLEEN McINTIRE--VOLUNTEER SERVICES DEPARTMENT, 4867 SUNSET BLVD, LOS ANGELES, CA 90027.  kATHLEEN.J.MCINTIRE@KP.ORG      323-783-8991   CONTACT KATHLEEN IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR NEED DETAILS.

2.  KENTUCKY CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL, DEPT OF PEDIATRICS DIVISION OF PEDIATRIC FORENSIC MEDICINE, ATTNl JESSICA HARRISON-RICHART LPN, 138 LEADER AVENUE, SUITE 129, LEXINGTON KY 40508.  PHONE: 859-218-6727 OR E-MAIL: JESSICA.HARRISON-RICHART@UKY.EDU  LINK: HTTPS://UKHEALTHCARE.UKY.EDU/COVID-19/handmade-mask-gown-donations.
.  
NOTICE:   HOSPITALS AND MEDICAL CENTERS ARE NOT ACCEPTING ANY DONATED ITEMS FOR PATIENTS (HATS, TOTE BAGS, BLANKETS, LAYETTE ITEMS, ETC..)  BECAUSE OF THE CORONAVIRUS PROBLEM.  MOST ARE NOT ADMITTING VISITORS--EXCEPT THOSE WHO HAVE APPOINTMENTS OR ARE IN TREATMENT.    PLEASE CALL BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO DELIVER ANYTHING.  BECAUSE OF THE VIRUS, YOU MAY HAVE TO HOLD YOUR FINISHED ITEMS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.    FREDERICK MEMORIAL HOSPITAL HAS ANNOUNCED THIS POLICY.   ARNOLD PALMER HOSPITAL/ORLANDO HEALTH ALSO WROTE TO CARE WEAR VOLUNTEERS TO ANNOUNCE THIS POLICY.

UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY--HEALTHCARE, (Dept of Pediatric Forensic Medicine, 138 Leader Avenue, Suite 129,  Lexington, KY 40508) requests caps for babies and children (infant, toddler--to six years) who are the victims of physical and sexual abuse.  Contact person: Jessica Harrison-Richart, LPN, Pediatric Forensic Nurse.  859-218-6727 or jha568@uky.edu.   (February 2020)

FREDERICK HEALTH HOSPITAL (FREDERICK MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, 400 W. SEVENTH STREET, FREDERICK MD 21701) APPEALS FOR BLANKETS (KNIT, CROCHET, QUILTED, OR FLEECE--30" SQUARE AND LARGER) FOR THEIR VERY YOUNG PATIENTS.   FYI: FLEECE BLANKETS CANNOT BE USED IN THE NICU BECAUSE FLEECE HOLDS GERMS.  STAFF MEMBERS IN THE NICU CANNOT WEAR FLEECE VESTS OR JACKETS TO WORK!!!).FLEECE BLANKETS WILL GO TO NON-NICU INFANTS.    COTTON FLANNEL BLANKETS WOULD BE APPRECIATED.   SEND OR DELIVER TO THE VOLUNTEER OFFICE (SHARON HANNABY, DIRECTOR OF VOLUNTEERS)  IF YOU CAN HELP.   (February 8, 2020)

NEW HOSPITAL LISTING:  MOUNT SINAI WEST HOSPITAL (NICU-11G (ATTN: SOCIAL WORKER), 1000  10TH AVENUE, NEW YORK, NY 10019  347-920-10019).  NEEDS: BLANKETS (FLEECE, FLANNEL, KNIT OR CROCHET) AND QUILTS--MINIMUM 28" SQUARE/MAXIMUM 36" SQUARE.  TOYS (WITH PREFERENCE FOR THE CROCHET OCTOPUS TOY (6"-8" LENGTH)  AND FABRIC/FIBERFILL BUNNIES & BEARS.   CONTACT PERSON IS ALLIE RUBIN (ALEXANDRA.RUBIN@MOUNTSINAI.ORG OR 347-920-7405).   UPDATE 1/2/2020: CONTACT BEFORE SENDING ANY OCTOPUS TOYS.  THEY HAVE RECEIVED A  LARGE SUPPLY AND DO NOT NEED MORE AT THIS TIME.    NEEDS BLANKETS.

EMPTY CRADLE has a new address:  31938 Temecula Pkwy, Ste A #385, Temecula, CA 92502. 

NEWSLETTER MAILING LIST:  If you or someone you know forgot to send back the form to stay on the mailing list from the March newsletter, it's not too late.  Return the form and I will put you back on the mailing list.   Regarding the missed June issue.  If you have Internet access and can read that issue online, that would be helpful.  I have a few extra copies for those who do not have Internet.   Once your name is back on the mailing list, you will receive the next (Sept) newsletter with the bulk-rate mailing.  (June 15, 2019)

FROEDTERT & THE MEDICAL COLLEGE OF WISCONSIN--FROEDTERT HOSPITAL
(9200 West Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53226) is no longer accepting donated hats, booties, bears, blankets, diaper shirts, burial gowns or anything else due to new safety guidelines for Pediatrics.  Do NOT send or delivery anything to this hospital.   (May 31, 2019)

NEW HOSPITAL: VALOR HEALTH HOSPITAL (c/o Med-Surg, OB/NSY--Unit Clerk, 1202 E Locust Street, Emmett, ID 83617  Contact person: JoAnna Swartout, Joanna.swartout@valorhealth.org  208-901-3280). Requests: full-term booties, shawls, lap blankets, quilts, knit/crochet;/flannel blankets 30" square & larger, toys (dolls/animals).    (February 27, 2019).
 
WINDSOR CARE & REHAB CENTER (Attn: Linda Campbell, 2021 Whispering Hills Drive, Forney, TX 75126) requests shawls and twiddle muffs.  (February 25, 2019)










 

 

 

















 








 

 

Slide 1

Basic Knit Hat

Slide 3

Wheelchair/Walker Caddy

Slide 1

Knit Baby Blanket

Slide 4

Knitted Child's Hat

Slide 5

Infant Snuggler

Slide 6

Fleece Hat

Slide 1

Seamless Knit "Santa" Hat

Slide 7

Mr. Froggie Crochet Hat

Example Frame

Information