Compass for Kids is well-known in the Springfield community for the many ways it serves children and families through after-school and summer programs that provide academic and social-emotional support. Their goal is to empower Springfield children and families underserved by the community.
Club Compass is an after-school program for students at five elementary schools in District 186. In addition, an after-school Youth Leadership Development Program (YLDP) held at Laurel United Methodist Church is designed specifically for middle and high school students who were previously part of the Club Compass program during elementary school. Thanks to the generosity of three local quilting and sewing groups, every student in Club Compass and the YLDP and their younger siblings received a handmade quilt or blanket in December.
Shelly Kinner, volunteer and special events coordinator for Compass for Kids, says she told a few volunteers about their need for blankets and quilts. That led to groups of women working throughout the year to create beautiful and practical quilts and blankets for children in need.
Folded Frenzies is a group of about 10 women who are part of the larger Springfield Quilt Guild. The women like to quilt and are committed to using their talents to create quilts to donate for charitable purposes. They meet monthly at the Chatham library. They’ve donated quilts to Sojourn Shelter, Mini O’Beirne Crisis Nursery, M.E.R.C.Y Communities, veterans’ homes and other entities. Bonnie Moe said they chose Camp Compass last year for their charitable donations and worked on making quilts throughout the year.
Moe told her quilting friend, Gwen Pollock, about the need for quilts for Compass for Kids. Pollock is part of the Peace by Piece Quilters, who meet at South Side Christian Church. Representatives of their group were invited to observe a Club Compass program for students from Black Hawk Elementary School, who also meet at South Side Christian Church. The women were inspired to get involved after seeing firsthand what the children were learning and doing through this impactful program. From May through October this group of 10-15 women pieced and quilted 154 quilts, which they donated to Camp Compass. The church was so proud of their efforts they took all the chairs out of the sanctuary to photograph the women with their quilts.
Stitch ‘N Go is a group of more than 30 women who meet at Laurel United Methodist Church. They also share a passion for serving others through their talents of sewing, knitting and crocheting. The beneficiaries are both local and global. They learned about Compass for Kids more than five years ago and were inspired to help. To date Stitch ‘N Go has donated 216 fleece blankets as well as 125 fidget squares, 66 fleece hats and 66 fleece scarves. “Our group is called to help where we can, and supporting Compass kids is a priority,” said Barb Needham, one of the leaders of the group.Â
Compass for Kids is grateful for the beautiful, handmade quilts and blankets that provide comfort and warmth to the Compass youth. For more information about Compass for Kids and how to get involved, go to compassforkids.org or call 217/691-8103.
This article appears in Spring 2025 March 2025.
