Dear Friends,
We are honored to be recognized at this year’s Intertwine Arts fundraiser for Maurine’s dedication to growing the organization and our financial support.
When Maurine retired in 2015, she discovered SAORI weaving—a relaxing, creative outlet that celebrates imperfections as incidental beauty rather than mistakes. She immediately saw how this accessible and calming art form could benefit vulnerable populations. Intertwine Arts’ mission to bring weaving to people with disabilities and chronic illnesses was a natural extension of her care for children with neurological disorders.
It is inspiring to watch people with limited choices create something unique that reflects their personality and is admired and valued.
An eight-year-old boy getting chemotherapy wove fabric that he asked to be made into a bear for his two-year-old brother.
James, a participant in one of the adult programs, wrote that “weaving takes my anger out.”
Ritchie, a non-verbal young man who doesn’t participate in any of the other activities, will weave for 45 minutes, pointing to the colors he wants and smiling in pleasure at his work.
For Maurine, weaving with kids and adults has been the most meaningful part of her journey. Jim has also become a passionate advocate for Intertwine, sharing stories of the organization’s impact and embracing a house full of looms, yarn, and joy.
Intertwine Arts has grown from 27 volunteer-run workshops with a $7,000 budget in 2016 to 394 workshops and a $277,000 budget as of August 2024. We now partner with 18 organizations and have reached over 500 individuals this year, including children battling cancer and adults with Alzheimer’s.
This is a pivotal moment. We recently hired a Creative Director and a part-time Development Director, but now we need your help to fund an Executive Director. Your donation will be vital in shaping the next chapter of Intertwine, allowing us to continue to bring joy, connection, and creativity to many who might otherwise never experience the magic of weaving.
We hope you’ll join us at the Woven Together event to see participants’ artworks and try weaving yourself. If you can’t attend, please consider a donation to Intertwine Arts.
Thank you,
Maurine and Jim
