Students gathered together April 15 at the College of Education building to crochet for a cause: creating and donating hats to cancer patients.
The Veterans and Patriots Club, in partnership with the Country Dancing Club, collaborated to decompress and create beanies.
Country music filled the room as simple stitches turned into a gesture of comfort for those undergoing treatment. The event brought together students of all levels to crochet. They were united by a shared goal of giving back and helping those in need in St. George.
All the supplies were provided by Lainey Jessup, a senior psychology major from West Jordan. She was the president of the former Grannie Hobbies Club. Jessup was invited last year to collaborate and make beanies. After the success and enjoyment of previous years, she was invited again to teach students how to make beanies.
“It’s fun to learn how to crochet, and it’s a good reason to hang out with people, it’s for a good cause,” Jessup said.
Jessup would recommend anyone to learn how to crochet because not only is it good for arthritis, but it also helps her concentrate in lectures for school. She said you get to create artwork, like beanies or stuffed animals, and work on your mental health.
The Country Dancing Club collaborated for this event because it matches the club’s values, and it meets the required service hours.
Clubs at Utah Tech University have to meet a specific number of service hours every six months to remain a club. With Country Dancing Club being one of the biggest clubs on campus, Silver Flack, a junior music major from St. George and president of the club, wants to make service a priority.
“We feel that the more we can do to contribute back to the society that has allowed us to dance and sing is a good feeling,” Flack said.
The Country Dancing Club participated in a crocheting event last year, and Flack saw the impact that service has on the St. George community. When the Veterans Club asked the Country Dancing Club to collaborate again, there was no hesitation in saying yes.
Christy De La Cruz, a senior theater major from Las Vegas and social media manager for the Veterans Club, enjoys the beanie event because it benefits people in need.
“The aim is to make beanies for cancer patients, because a lot of them do lose their hair throughout chemo, and sometimes a colorful beanie can boost morale,” De La Cruz said.
Although the 2026 spring semester is wrapping up, there are still service events happening until the end of the semester. All events can be found on the service branch calendar.
