When Cheryl Stover first discovered the Children’s Cabinet Stitchers, she found more than a quilting circle; she found a mission. The Stitchers began as a casual group of women who simply wanted to learn how to quilt. In someone’s living room, they sewed fabric squares together, sharing gentle conversation, fabric scraps, and laughter.
Over time, their humble sewing circle grew. By the early 1990s, they found a home in an empty storefront at the old Parklane Mall, where their group expanded to include knitters and crocheters. Word spread, and a beautiful connection blossomed: the Stitchers began donating their handmade quilts, afghans, hats, and scarves to The Children’s Cabinet. Though the Stitchers are technically independent today, their bond with The Children’s Cabinet has remained strong, and they are loyal partners in generosity.
Cheryl describes the group as a community of about 40 artisans, women aged 40 to over 100, who come together out of pure love for making. Their craft is their way of caring. Every stitch, every loop of yarn is made with the intention of wrapping a child in warmth, comfort, and a message that someone truly cares. 
Week after week, the Stitchers produce. They donate to The Children’s Cabinet, and the organization ensures these handcrafted treasures reach the children who need them most. Cheryl coordinates with the organization to drop off donations of quilts and knitted goods, items that aren’t just needed but enjoyed during the holiday season.
The joy of giving is a powerful force in this group. Cheryl remembers reading a small call for volunteers in the Reno Gazette-Journal years ago, showing up to help sew squares, and being handed a bag of fabric pieces. From that first “just sew these together,” she was drawn in. She learned how to “sandwich” quilt layers, how to tie the top and back at the corners, and how much healing can happen when hands are busy making something beautiful.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, their in-person quilting sessions had to pause, but not their connection. The Stitchers shifted to weekly Zoom meetings, sharing new ideas, swapping stories, and keeping their community strong, even when they couldn’t physically be together. Now, they meet in person again at St. John’s Presbyterian Church in Reno, gathering on the first and third Tuesdays of every month to support one another, brainstorm new projects, and celebrate the joy of creation.
People often ask, “Why do you hand-make things just to give them away?” The answer is simple: for the Stitchers, creating is an act of love. They believe that each quilt, afghan, hat, or scarf carries not just warmth, but a message that someone thought about you, cared about you, and made something just for you. These handcrafted items might go to children who’ve never owned a quilt or even known the comfort of a soft, handmade blanket, but the Stitchers hope the children will feel the love that went into every stitch.
Cheryl’s story is a powerful reminder that volunteerism doesn’t just happen on big stages, sometimes, it happens in living rooms, with needles and yarn, and in the gentle hum of a sewing machine. Through the Stitchers’ dedication, creativity, and compassion, The Children’s Cabinet is able to offer more than material gifts, they offer warmth, dignity, and the tangible proof that a caring community is right there, holding tight.
