Kelly brings a wealth of community service and nonprofit management experience to our work, and says: "I am so excited to start this adventure and look forward to working with all members of the organization.” Kelly received her Master’s Degree in Public History from the University of Colorado in 2010 and has worked in Denver’s nonprofit scene ever since, from museums to mental health. She holds a Certificate from Duke University in Nonprofit Management and a Certificate in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace from the University of South Florida. She is a trauma-informed yoga instructor working with a Denver nonprofit that serves military veterans. Kelly is thrilled to be on the K4P team and is eager to put her knowledge, experience and passion to work.

Kelly joined K4P in April, 2022, because she believes in the mission and deeply understands the difference the organization makes in the lives of its constituents. She is proud to serve as K4P’s Executive Director because, “In times of hardship, people can often feel invisible and K4P works hard to ensure everyone is seen and cared for.” Email Kelly

Jo was inspired by the mission of K4P and wanted to be part of it all. She is a lifelong lover of all crafty pursuits and loved the idea of working with others with similar passions, all in support individuals in need and intentionally creating positive community. She has so enjoyed getting to know our amazing volunteers, board members, and conversing with our many makers and community partners. She previously worked at the Department of Education to improve quality for infants and toddlers in Early Childhood programs and was a mental health counselor at Children’s Hospital. She also enjoyed her time as a home visitor for new Moms and taught early childhood courses at a local community college. She is a Mom of 3 and grandmother to 4, soon to be 5. In her spare time you’ll find her at her sewing machine, happily making quilts and bags. She also loves to read, watch movies, and travel (which she has sorely missed during the pandemic!). She has recently picked up her crochet hooks again and is really enjoying working with yarn again. Email Jo

Kim taught herself to knit as a form of relationship preservation! Her husband was an avid Colorado Avalanche hockey team fan, and he spent at least one night per week watching the team on T.V. Kim soon realized that if she wanted to spend time with her husband it would require sitting in front of the television. Like many crafters, Kim found that she needed “something to do” because she couldn’t just sit and watch the game. She learned how to knit from books and videos and has progressed from knitting scarves and hats to sweaters and socks. Her favorite item to knit for Knitting4Peace is mittens. Knitting, for Kim, has evolved from “something to do” while watching T.V. into a self-caring and calming meditation and a way to connect with and share within a community.

Kim began volunteering for Knitting4Peace after retiring in 2020. She started as an Intake Volunteer unpacking and admiring the beautifully handcrafted items sent to the organization from across the country. When she moved a few years later, Kim continued to volunteer as a member on K4P’s Board of Directors. On any given day, you can find her happily knitting away from her mountain home in southern Colorado – hoping to see a flock of wild turkeys or a small heard of elk.

Darlene assumed the responsibility of the Treasurer after seeing a call for help on Facebook. Darlene started the Chicks with Sticks Peace Pod at Christ Lutheran Church in Highlands Ranch, CO about 8 years ago. They have been providing scarves, hats, washcloths and Peace Pals for several years. After a request for crocheted sleeping mats, Darlene created the pattern for the Quilted Sleeping Mats that were sent to African orphans.

Darlene moved to Colorado from Minnesota in 1994 with her job. She retired in 2003 and participates in many volunteer activities including Mission Quilters, Chicks with Sticks, WhizKids and Colorado Master Gardeners and data input at her church. She is married with two children who live in MN and WashDC.

She says, "I really love the mission of Knitting4Peace. The concept of THREE was foremost in our participation with this organization. Its amazing what this small organization can do!"

Kathy Partridge is an avid knitter who has lived in Boulder County since 1975, the past 15 years in Longmont. Her grandmother taught her to knit when she was a child, a testament to Grandma's patience is Kathy is lefthanded. Kathy dropped her needles to pursue a full-time career and raise two daughters. She picked them up again in 2005 when her then teenage daughter, a talented crocheter, took her to a big box store to buy yarn for a school project. Starting with skinny novelty yarn scarves, Kathy graduated to hats in the round, and then a class at a local yarn store introduced her to magive loop, stranded colorwork, and sock knitting. Since Kathy was constantly on the computer for her job, she was naturally an early Ravelry member, where she has posted over 600 of her knitting projects to date. Almost daily, as LongmontKathy, she explores new patterns and yarns on Ravelry, and is active in the Knitting4Peace Ravelry Peace Pod.

Kathy joined the Board in 2022. She says: "Knitting for others is a spiritual practice for me. Not only does my knitting provide warm clothing for those in need, it is also a form of meditation, artistic expression, and keeps my hands limber."

Marsha splits her time since retirement between her native Ozarks (fall and winter) and in her adopted home of southern Oregon (spring and summer). While in Missouri her church created Missouri’s Peace Pod #1. Marsha has knit and/or crocheted since her early teens. It became an addiction when she heard about prayer shawls. She began to knit them and give as gifts for graduations, new brides, new mothers, new retirees, those dealing with illness or mourning the loss of a loved one. She also has two spinning wheels, a knitting machine, a table loom and a semi-manageable stash.

Prior to retirement, Marsha served as executive director of the Lake County Crisis Center, an advocacy center for victims/survivors of domestic violence and/or sexual assault. During that time she also served on the board of directors of the Oregon Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. When she saw the call for volunteers to serve on the K4P board in the newsletter she thought her experience with a 501(c) (3) and previous board service might be beneficial.

She is married to her retired Episcopal Priest husband, mother to a daughter and son and step-mother to two sons and one grandson.