For Stacy Kehoe, supporting U.S. troops is important, even if it comes in the form of a 3-inch, heart-shaped cushion.
Kehoe, a member of the Judge David Campbell Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, is one of many attendees of Craft 'n' Crop, a monthly event that brings artists and crafters together at the Heritage House Arts and Civic Center in the East Brainerd area.
Craft 'n' Crop has been ongoing for a couple of years for anyone who wanted to bring a personal project to work on in a communal setting and be inspired by others.
The gathering gained new significance about six months ago when Chattanooga chapters of the DAR formed a partnership with Heritage House to focus volunteer efforts on keepsakes for the troops. So far, they've crafted pillow hearts, helmet liners and Christmas tree skirts.
"If we can show kindness and appreciation even in the smallest ways, it's better to show it in some small way than no way at all," Kehoe says. "By doing these helmet liners or mini hearts or Christmas tree skirts, we hope that it shows that we support [the troops] and we're 100 percent behind them and we appreciate the sacrifices that they're giving up to protect our freedom."
If you go
The next Craft ’n’ Crop gathering starts at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 3, at Heritage House, 1428 Jenkins Road. Call 423-855-9474 for more information.
The group meets the first Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. The free sessions are open to people of all ages and skill levels and any arts and crafts project. Attendees are encouraged to bring a potluck dish.
Chris Holley, director of Heritage House, describes Craft 'n' Crop as a "battery charge for creativity" since it provides a way for people to learn new skills, work on their own projects and connect with others.
"It does help create more of a community, and we like to push things that I like to call 'unity in the community,' rather than our differences: common needs, common likes, things like that," Holley says. "You never know what people are going to bring in - I've seen art forms I didn't even knew existed that were just wonderful. The toughest thing is you just want to try them all."
The group is looking for knitters and crocheters to help make the helmet liners and heart cushions, which have recently become the more popular items, Holley says.
"The hearts are cool because they're not only something for [troops] to carry, but they can just reach in their pocket and know someone's thinking about them," she says. "Some of them put them up inside their helmet like when they have to lean on something. Instead of leaning against a hard helmet, they take that little heart out of their pocket and use it like a mini pillow on their temple."
The DAR provides basic supplies for the care projects for the troops, and some of the projects are no-sew so even novices can contribute their time and skills. Kehoe says she personally arranges to get the completed items into the hands of American troops on duty.
"We also give them little pieces of candy, and even if they don't want it, it's something they can hand out to a kid or adult overseas," Kehoe says.
Holley says the group would like to expand its offerings during the Christmas season for military personnel who hold different beliefs and traditions.
"We're looking around for other things for persons who are maybe Jewish, Muslim or Hindu that we can also send over, to reach out to those of different beliefs and backgrounds," Holley says.
For now, the focus has been on the helmet liners and mini hearts, since they "don't have a denomination," Holley says, and are "not set by any religion."
Kehoe knows the impact that the gifts can have on troops, since many of her family members have served in the military.
"They've already given up so much of their family and their personal lives, it's really sacrificing their lives on the line," Kehoe says. "We want to show them that we support them and that we truly appreciate everything that they have done and continue to do."
Contact Kimberly Sebring at ksebring@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6315.