Donated Crafts Share 'Common Thread'

HOUSTON - They are a group that does more than lending a helping hand. In fact, every two hours, night and day, somebody in a Houston-area hospital receives a donated, handmade item made by the Common Thread Circle.

The volunteers stitch, knit and crotchet their way into the hearts of many patients.

In just one year's time, their hard work and dedication has resulted in more than 5,300 items. That includes everything from pillows, scarves, isolette blankets, laundry bags and matching catch-alls.

"A man came into Starbucks yesterday and said he had one for his heart surgery and he said the first time he coughed, he realized the extreme value because it hurts to cough and he can hold it," describes longtime volunteer Rima Blanc.

Jennifer Barnes with the Harris County Hospital District realizes the importance of dedicated groups like this.

"We're tax-supported, so we have to be very careful about how we spend our money and where it goes and alot of the niceties we want to give our patients, we just can't do it," said Barnes.

Common Thread Circle works very diligently to keep all of the material sterile.

One very importation creation makes a huge difference to young patients.

"We we also make something that hospitals cannot buy, which are therapy dolls where children, doctors and psychologists can sit down and talk about their treatment using a white plain muslin doll and drawing on it. The child can draw his name, his face, he can give it a cast, he can give it an incision and just work out what is going to happen," said Blanc to FOX 26 News.

"Donations are so hard to come by. So when we find a group that is as caring and compassionate as they are ... that want to kind of align themselves with our mission that we have at the hospital district, it is a win-win for everybody," added Barnes.

Along with that win, is a message that these volunteers hope the patients will hear. That no matter their circumstances, they are not alone. Someone out there... cares.

-- Common Thread Circle information: http://www.thecommonthreadcircle.org/