Ben McCall/Sun Photo
Kansas City Chorus of Sweet Adelines member Susan Keipp with an assortment of scarves, hats and gloves she and other members knitted to donate to Center Elementary and Spofford Home in Kansas City.
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Sweet Adelines give warmth to Center students
By: Kelli Bamforth, Staff Writer
kellibamforth@npgco.com
Students at Center Elementary School, 8401 Euclid, had a warmer winter thanks to the Kansas City Chorus of Sweet Adelines.
Member Pat Thorson’s mother died before Christmas, leaving several large bags of yarn with the hope her daughter would put it to good use.
“I saw how the Center kids in winter had short sleeves and were in need,” singer Susan Keipp, Kansas City, said. “I called counselor Shirley Washington and asked if we could help. Before I knew it, we had knitted 81 caps and scarves and 51 pairs of mittens.”
The weather has turned warmer, but Sweet Adelines plans to continue knitting in the spring and summer to present more mittens and scarves to Center Elementary in the fall.
The chorus will also donate to kids at Spofford Home, 9700 Grandview Road, an organization that provides treatment for at-risk children and their families.
“We always do a Christmas project with (Spofford Home),” Keipp said, “but Christmas might come early this year. We can’t communicate with the children a lot, because a lot of them are special needs, but we do Christmas caroling for the kids. It’s a yearlong project.”
Sweet Adelines rehearses weekly from 7 to 10 p.m. Mondays at Metcalf Shopping Center, 9597 Metcalf Ave., and set aside a knitting area in its rehearsal space.
“When we’re done I take them to Mrs. Washington,” Keipp said. “She and the principal give them to kids that need them. We’re even color coordinating some first-graders. We think we have most (kids) taken care of, but new kids come and the kids lose them sometimes. We’ll try to have a coat, hat and scarf closet.”
As a crossing guard, Keipp said she often saw students go to school freezing.
“We just wanted to get them warm,” she said, “and when we had the yarn, things just clicked. I see the kids walking with their scarves blowing in the wind and I just enjoy it.
“When I mentioned this to the gals it just evolved … the yarn was there one week and the next Monday we had product. (Pat) has brought about seven trash bags (of yarn) so far and that’s about a third of it. We’ll be knitting forever.”
Sweet Adelines prepares to celebrate 60 years. The chorus sings four-part barbershop harmony and heads to a regional competition this weekend at the Overland Park Convention Center.
“Whoever wins goes to the international competition next year,” Keipp said. “We have a lot of fun. We’ve got people from all walks of life, from ages 16 to 84, from bus drivers and Ph.D.s to nurses, lawyers, teachers and travel agents.”
Anyone interested in joining Sweet Adelines should go to any Monday night rehearsal or send an e-mail to singwithus@kansascitychorus.com.
Sweet Adelines may soon perform for Center Elementary School.
“The music teacher found out we were (a chorus) and she wants us to come sing for the kids,” Keipp said.
The members are having fun with their community service projects, Keipp said.
“It just seems that whenever we say we need something, (the girls) come through,” Keipp said. “They asked about the kids, so I gave (Washington) a camera and asked her to take pictures of their smiles.
“If (the kids) only wear them for one winter, at least they kept warm. That’s the important part.”
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Member Pat Thorson’s mother died before Christmas, leaving several large bags of yarn with the hope her daughter would put it to good use.
“I saw how the Center kids in winter had short sleeves and were in need,” singer Susan Keipp, Kansas City, said. “I called counselor Shirley Washington and asked if we could help. Before I knew it, we had knitted 81 caps and scarves and 51 pairs of mittens.”
The weather has turned warmer, but Sweet Adelines plans to continue knitting in the spring and summer to present more mittens and scarves to Center Elementary in the fall.
The chorus will also donate to kids at Spofford Home, 9700 Grandview Road, an organization that provides treatment for at-risk children and their families.
“We always do a Christmas project with (Spofford Home),” Keipp said, “but Christmas might come early this year. We can’t communicate with the children a lot, because a lot of them are special needs, but we do Christmas caroling for the kids. It’s a yearlong project.”
Sweet Adelines rehearses weekly from 7 to 10 p.m. Mondays at Metcalf Shopping Center, 9597 Metcalf Ave., and set aside a knitting area in its rehearsal space.
“When we’re done I take them to Mrs. Washington,” Keipp said. “She and the principal give them to kids that need them. We’re even color coordinating some first-graders. We think we have most (kids) taken care of, but new kids come and the kids lose them sometimes. We’ll try to have a coat, hat and scarf closet.”
As a crossing guard, Keipp said she often saw students go to school freezing.
“We just wanted to get them warm,” she said, “and when we had the yarn, things just clicked. I see the kids walking with their scarves blowing in the wind and I just enjoy it.
“When I mentioned this to the gals it just evolved … the yarn was there one week and the next Monday we had product. (Pat) has brought about seven trash bags (of yarn) so far and that’s about a third of it. We’ll be knitting forever.”
Sweet Adelines prepares to celebrate 60 years. The chorus sings four-part barbershop harmony and heads to a regional competition this weekend at the Overland Park Convention Center.
“Whoever wins goes to the international competition next year,” Keipp said. “We have a lot of fun. We’ve got people from all walks of life, from ages 16 to 84, from bus drivers and Ph.D.s to nurses, lawyers, teachers and travel agents.”
Anyone interested in joining Sweet Adelines should go to any Monday night rehearsal or send an e-mail to singwithus@kansascitychorus.com.
Sweet Adelines may soon perform for Center Elementary School.
“The music teacher found out we were (a chorus) and she wants us to come sing for the kids,” Keipp said.
The members are having fun with their community service projects, Keipp said.
“It just seems that whenever we say we need something, (the girls) come through,” Keipp said. “They asked about the kids, so I gave (Washington) a camera and asked her to take pictures of their smiles.
“If (the kids) only wear them for one winter, at least they kept warm. That’s the important part.”
Comments on "Sweet Adelines give warmth to Center students"
Comments are limited to 200 words or less.Sharon wrote on Apr 4, 2008 1:16 PM:
" My granddaughter was one of the students who recieved one of those beautiful scarfs. It kept her warm this winter. Thank you ladies for the love you put into this project. "
Janice wrote on Apr 3, 2008 7:12 PM:
" You gals have good hearts. Thanks for your efforts. "
Bev Shoecraft wrote on Apr 3, 2008 2:30 PM:
" I've been a Sweet Adeline for almost 30 years and am constantly amazed at the level of compassion and caring some of our choruses throughout the world have shown to those in need. Not only do they make wonderful music with their voices, but they bring harmony to their communities with their hearts and souls. I'm very proud to be a part of such a wonderful organization. "