What an inspiring effort! Most of the volunteers who came together to weave potholders for Govan’s Ecumenical Development Corporation (GEDCO) had never used a potholder loom before—or tried any kind of weaving at all. Still, they aimed to create enough potholders for every neighbor registered to receive a Thanksgiving basket.
The goal was 170 potholders in under a month. They surpassed it with ease.
With creativity, focus, and a shared sense of purpose, this group of mostly first-time weavers produced 190 beautiful, hand-woven potholders in record time. Their energy was contagious, and the pride they took in their work was evident in every finished piece. We also appreciated the extra contribution of knitted and crocheted potholders.
Here are photos from both the weaving sessions and the distribution day. Weaving sessions were led by GEDCO’s CEO, Nichole Doye Battle, who brought together community volunteers, including students from the Friends School of Baltimore.
Recipients were truly delighted. Being able to choose a potholder made primarily by GEDCO’s own staff and volunteers added a sense of connection that could be felt throughout the event. Volunteers and food recipients alike recognized the care that went into each piece. That moment of recognition—seeing something crafted locally just for them with materials provided by weavers from across the nation—showed how community can extend far beyond geography. It brought warmth to their day, and to mine as well.
Many thanks to the weavers from across the U.S. for your generous donations of looms, hooks, and loops. GEDCO’s weaving journey started with your contributions. As a nonprofit, they needed to know a project was likely to work for them before investing. So, we began with your donations. Once the weaving gained momentum, they were able to add some of their own Friendly Loom kits and appreciated the additional Pepperell, Solmate, FL, and custom loops.
In the end, these potholders were made by local hands using supplies shared by weavers from all over the country. It’s a true reflection of what THXGPP stands for: a community that doesn’t end at a border and a sense of human connection through kindness, care, and generosity that reaches farther than any of us can see.