Welcome to Connecting With Threads Community Hub

Connecting with Threads has a diverse set of board members who are dedicated to the mission of the organization. All board members give freely of their time.

Kristene is a retired technology executive with a passion for her community and all things sewing.  She is excited to be able to use her organizational, business, and technology skills as well as her passion for sewing to help community members.  On any given day, you can find her in her sewing room creating something, perhaps teaching a sewing lesson, or working on a process that will help CWT to be able to do more with the resources we are provided.   Kristene learned how to sew from her mom and aunt using her grandmother's treadle sewing machine and has been busy sewing clothing, quilts, bags, doll clothes and so many other items for well over 45 years.  

Tonya is a technology executive with a deep love for quilting, fabric and quilt design. She learned to sew by sitting on her mom’s lap as a small child and started quilting when she was a pre-teen. She is a prolific quilter since quilting is her stress relief and gifting quilts makes her heart sing. For CWT, she enjoys teaching new techniques, helping select fabrics for quilts and choosing appropriate patterns for members to meet the donation needs while increasing their individual sewing/quilting skills (no matter what experience level). 

 Debra is a retired designer who has been sewing for over 50 years. Her past work includes graphic design, set design, quilting as art, textile techniques, and teaching design. She has a deep interest in quilts as historical expressions of family and community and as documents of individual creativity. Seeing CWT as a modern expression of time-honored quilting traditions—caretaking, frugality, fellowship, knowledge sharing, and beauty—inspires her participation; because it is these types of traditions that make our lives richer and our communities stronger. 

Vivian, a retired Certified Child and Adolescent Life Specialist, devoted her career to teaching chronically ill children how to navigate the hospital experience and smoothly transition from pediatric to adult health care. Her involvement with Connecting with Threads has provided her with the chance to expand her skill set and again interact with individuals of all ages, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose.

Vivian's journey with sewing began under the loving guidance of her mother, who skillfully taught her how to sew.  She created her clothes throughout elementary and high school and later made clothes for her children. This cherished tradition was passed down along with the art of crocheting, which Vivian passionately continues. Her creations—afghans, hats, and scarves—are lovingly donated to students in local schools and orphanages, offering warmth and comfort to those in need.

By joining Connecting with Threads, Vivian not only finds personal fulfillment but also contributes to a larger mission of creativity, support, and kindness. Her story inspires others to engage in meaningful activities that build skills, enrich lives, and spread goodwill across generations and communities.