A Cy-Fair group is using its hobbies to benefit homeless individuals, cancer patients, newborn babies, military troops and first responders. Inspired by a similar organization in Tomball, Pam Zwecker launched Helping Hands Ladies of Cypress in 2016 to make hats, blankets and scarves for those in need.

The group now has 25 members who meet twice a month to knit, crochet and sew in Zwecker’s home, Vice President of Distribution Cathy Travland said.

“Our oldest member is 94, and the first time she came to one of our meetings, she brought 80 hats she had made,” she said. “Our youngest member is a 10-year-old little boy who has made 40 purple hats for the Shaken Baby Syndrome Campaign.”

Among other causes, HHLOC has donated handmade products to Operation Gratitude, the Ronald McDonald House, Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital, Boys and Girls Country, the American Heart Association and local homeless shelters.

Members provide input on organizations to help, such as the Gabriel Project—a crisis pregnancy service at Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Cy-Fair.

“We try to focus on groups or nonprofit organizations that sometimes are overlooked when people are making donations,” Travland said. “Most of us have an affinity for children and for veterans.”

After Hurricane Harvey, the group donated patriotic “hero hats” to first responders. More recently on Veterans Day this year, the group delivered 40 quilts to the DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston.

Travland said volunteers do not have to have knitting, crocheting or sewing in their skill sets to contribute. Beginners can learn from more experienced members, and other tasks include folding brochures, doing inventory and tagging products made.

“We really have a great time getting together, doing something to make a difference in the community and having fellowship among us,” Travland said.

Helping Hands Ladies of Cypress P.O. Box 878, Cypress, TX, 77410 www.hhloctx.com