Service Spotlight: The Magic Yarn Project

I’ll never get tired of talking about the ways The Smile Project has brought so many wonderful people into my life. A perfect example is the friendship we’ve formed with Matt’s Kindness Ripples On. Each month they recognize individuals and organizations who are making the world a kinder place. You’ll see many of their honorees turn up on The Smile Project blog as we love the community we’ve formed through lifting each other up.

With that said, I’m thrilled to introduce Holly Christensen, Founder and Executive Director of The Magic Yarn Project. I am completely inspired by what Holly and her team are doing and I can’t wait to share their story today.

Liz: Let’s start in traditional Smile Project fashion. Give us a “Happiness is.”

Holly: Happiness is.. using your time and talents to make others’ lives better.

Liz: Tell me about the Magic Yarn Project.

Holly: We are a volunteer-powered non-profit organization that hand makes whimsical yarn wigs for children battling cancer and experiencing other forms of medical hair loss. We are based in Palmer, Alaska and have 19 chapters across the United States and Canada.

Liz: What is the driving force behind what you do?

Holly: Our mission is to create magic in the lives of children battling cancer and to inspire volunteerism to help make a difference. As a former oncology nurse I learned that while I cannot cure everyone’s cancer and save everyone, I can still do something. That “something" became a mission to bring joy to the youngest cancer-fighters through the creation and gift of yarn wigs after I created a Rapunzel yarn wig for a friend’s daughter during her cancer treatment and saw the joy if brought to her and her family to be able to embody her favorite princess and step away from the scary world of cancer for a moment and into the world of make-believe. 

Liz: What does service mean to you?

Holly: As a 13 year old, I wrote a rudimentary “bucket list” and included that I wanted to change lives through service. It is what led me to become a nurse and then to start this non-profit. I am happiest when I am serving others and it has helped me navigate and overcome depression and anxiety. 

Liz: How can people get involved?

Holly: Our website offers a variety of ways for crafty and non-crafty people alike to get involved with The Magic Yarn Project: www.themagicyarnproject.com. People can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram. 

Liz: Anything else you'd like to add?

Holly: We are powered solely by generous donations and the involvement of volunteers, so we love all the exposure we can get through social media shout-outs and shares.  

Liz: Do you have a favorite quote or piece of advice to leave us with?

Holly: My two favorite quotes (and a short poem):

“How short is life, how certain death. What will you do with today?”  

- Thomas S. Monson

“I have wept in the night

 for the shortness of sight

 that to somebody’s need made me blind,

 But I never have yet

 Felt a twinge of regret

 For being a little too kind.”

- C.R. Gibson