Children reap from this group’s sewing

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Neighbors | Submitted.Jeannie Rohrbaugh; (left), Shelia Williams and Caroline Scharf (seated) will be participating in the youth outreach program Nov. 27.

Kingdom Community church, which recently moved to the Struthers Fifth Street plaza from Youngstown-Poland Road, will start its Reap and Sew program today.

“The program is called ‘Reap & Sew,’” said Jeannie Rohrbaugh, volunteer coordinator for the program. “We will be teaching youth desiring to learn basic sewing techniques such as repairing rips, buttons, hemming and progressing to creating their own fashions.”

The group is planning a Christmas project making “knot blankets” for children in the Mahoning Valley Akron Children’s Hospital.

The group already has members from Poland, Boardman and other Valley communities, but if it grows large enough, blankets will be made for children at St. Elizabeth Hospital and Northside Hospital. Additional project blankets will be destined for the elderly in area nursing and assisted living homes.

“Our objective is to reach out to those in need in our community,” added Rohrbaugh. “We plan not only to teach sewing, crocheting, knitting and cross stitch, but also to show the youth how they can use these skills to reach out to others more needy than they are.”

In addition to sewing, the group will be taught how to decorate cookies that will be given to the residents of the Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley. The church believes volunteering time is rewarding for those both giving and receiving.

“Reap and Sew will meet from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the second and fourth Saturday of each month,” said Rusty Wills, pastor. “And at each meeting, the youth will learn a different skill.”

Those planning to attend the meeting need to call Rohrbaugh at 330-757-2671 by Tuesday so sufficient fleece supplies may be purchased. Adults and children are welcome.