knitting for a cause

The buzz of conversation is steady, much like the hum of the electric yarn baller near the register. It’s Wednesday night at Holley’s Yarn Shoppe, and knitters of all skill levels have flocked to the store at Forest and Inwood for the weekly open knitting session. In the far corner, a quiet bunch stitches baby hats, shoes and receiving blankets for Newborns in Need, a nonprofit that helps sick or disadvantaged infants. Among these compassionate knitters is Patricia Clay-Jolley, who founded the Dallas chapter 11 years ago. The group delivers about 2,000 items each month to Parkland hospital, where the need is the greatest, and that supply lasts just a couple of weeks. “It’s for the working poor of Dallas — people who have absolutely nothing for their babies,” Clay-Jolley says. Members meet monthly at Webb Chapel Church of Christ to box up the items and drop them at the hospital. Longtime knitter and Newborns in Need member Dotty Darrin recalls an instance of gratitude from a woman who recognized them. “She said, ‘You have no idea how much that meant to the parents to have someone that cares.’ ”

—Laura Chuckray

To learn more about Newborns in Need, visit newbornsinneed.org. To get involved, stop by the weekly Knitting Night at 7 p.m. Wednesdays at Holley’s Yarn Shoppe, 5211 Forest, Suite 115.

Holiday Reminders

what gives?

Small ways that you can make a big difference for nonprofits

Eat a cupcake

Sprinkles Cupcakes has teamed up with The Family Place for a weeklong fundraiser benefiting the Be Project, a program geared toward children and adults to prevent bullying in all its forms. Just ask for the dark chocolate cupcake with the lavender dot on top, and 100 percent of proceeds will benefit the project and promote healthy relationships among youth. Sprinkles is at 4020 Villanova in the Plaza at Preston Center. For more details, call 214.369.0004 or visit sprinkles.com.

Say ‘yes’ to this event

The Legacy Senior Communities Women’s Auxiliary hosts a fundraising luncheon dubbed “The Yes! Event” Nov. 10 at the Westin Galleria, 13340 Dallas Parkway. The guest speaker is Laurie Ann Goldman, CEO of SPANX Inc., who will share her success story. Tickets to the event are $150 each, and proceeds benefit the Legacy at Preston Hollow Dallas Home for Jewish Aged, a nonprofit, faith-based senior living center. Each guest receives at $50 gift certificate from SPANX. The event also includes a raffle. The auxiliary aims to support healthcare and other quality-of-life issues for local senior citizens. For more information, visit theyesevent.com.

Go shopping

Nexus Recovery Center hosts its Holiday Bazaar 2-6 p.m. Nov. 9 at a Preston Hollow home. Sales benefit Nexus, which is a female-only substance abuse treatment center in East Dallas. It’s the only facility in Texas that allows women to be admitted with their children. The center also serves adolescents ages 13-17. Tickets to the bazaar are $50. To RSVP to the event, contact Lori Smith at 214.403.6177 or lorismith@gmail.com. To learn more about Nexus, visit nexusrecovery.org.

Know of ways that neighbors can spend time, attend an event, or purchase or donate something to benefit a neighborhood nonprofit? Email your suggestion to launch@advocatemag.com.