Team Yarn donation box at Century 21 office in Cambridge

Team Yarn was started in memory of Cheryl Slater.

Drop off hats, scarves, shawls and afghans for cancer patients

Want to donate to Team Yarn - Head Huggers in memory of lifelong Isanti County resident Cheryl Slater, but don’t have time to drive down to the Twin Cities?

Team Yarn organizers have made it easier for Isanti County residents to donate to their cause. A donation box has been added at the Century 21 - Moline Reality office at 202 Main St. S. in Cambridge. The office is open Mondays to Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. If you're planning to drop by on Saturday, please call 763-689-3593 to be sure the agent hasn't stepped out for a real estate showing.

"We believe in supporting community organizations, like Team Yarn and the Harbor Room, and are very excited to make our office available for these generous donations," said Carrie Gibbs of Century 21 Moline Realty. "Many of us have been affected by cancer and organizations such as these help families cope and find peace."

Feel free to drop by handmade hats, scarves, afghans, and shawls. Items should be handmade, new, washable, free of smoke and pet hair. Please bag your items together, and include your contact information in case Team Yarn has any questions.

All items will be distributed to hospitals and local organizations to support cancer patients here in Minnesota.

Team Yarn is a satellite group of Head Huggers, a national organization. It was started by former Isanti County residents Amy (Slater) Pass and Tesha M. Christensen Pettit after Amy’s mother, Cheryl Slater, passed away in October 2012.

Slater was diagnosed with Merkel Cell Carcinoma, a rare and aggressive form of skin cancer, in December 2011. “She began chemotherapy in the winter of 2012, and we quickly learned that a head without hair grows cold very fast! Cheryl was blessed to receive handmade gifts of hats and scarves from family members and the cancer support center in her hospital to keep her warm,” noted Pass.

“Each gift was received with gratitude and was deeply appreciated. It's amazing how meaningful such a simple gift can be.”

Team Yarn made its first donation to the Harbor Room at the Cambridge Medical Center in January 2013. The February donation will go to the Richard M. Schulze Family American Cancer Society Hope Lodge in Minneapolis. In March, donations will be presented to the Children’s Hospital of St. Paul. Find patterns and more information on the group’s web site: http://teamyarn.blogspot.com.

For more information, email Amy Pass at amyinthewind@gmail.com.