LAVERNE CROUCHER: Sewn with love

Resident founds group that makes clothes for needy children

VIC VALBUENA BARENG/VIEWLaVerne Croucher works on an outfit that will be donated to Canyon Ridge Church. The clothes are distributed to children throughout the valley by the northwest-area church. VIC VALBUENA BARENG/VIEWLaVerne Croucher, 83, makes clothes for children in need through her sewing ministry, Loving Hands. She converted the patio of her home into a large room for her sewing machines. VIC VALBUENA BARENG/VIEWLaVerne Croucher, 83, makes clothes for children in need through her sewing ministry, Loving Hands. She converted the patio of her home into a large room for her sewing machines.

LaVerne Croucher has dozens of certificates and official letters of appreciation from various organizations, all for doing what she loves to do.

The 83-year-old widow spends hours a day at her sewing machine, making clothing for needy children.

"It's for the children, that's who I do it for," she said. "God gave each of us a talent. It's up to you what you do with it."

Her sewing ministry, Loving Hands, began 18 years ago. Soon after its founding, Croucher learned that maternity clothes were needed by young women in crisis. She volunteered for that task for six months, before realizing that her "true calling was to help little children," she said. "That's where my heart is."

"At first, it was just a table in my living room," she said of the entity built on modest means.

Over the years, Croucher has cranked out clothes made from donated materials or thrift-priced remnants. A few years ago, her back patio was converted into a large room, roughly 15 feet by 15 feet, and outfitted with as many as 20 sewing machines she picked up at garage sales for herself and fellow volunteers.

Roxanne Jamenson has been sewing beside Croucher since Loving Hands was established.

"Some of the things LaVerne makes are fantastic," she said. "People see them and say, 'You mean, you're going to give that away?' She's a great dressmaker."

Croucher grew up during the Great Depression and recalled sewing doll clothes by hand. Except for making an apron in home economics class, she never had used a sewing machine. Croucher had to quit school at 15. That's when her father died, leaving her mother to support seven children on a $60 monthly pension.

"We could not have been any poorer," she said.

Later, when she married a military man, money still was tight. So, Croucher got a sewing machine and taught herself the craft. She made all the clothes for her five children. Her daughter Karen remembered how the result may have been homemade, but it didn't look homemade.

"When I was in high school, I'd take her to the store to show her what was popular," Karen Croucher said. "She could eye it, just eye it, and then go home and make it. And she'd ace it, too."

Through the years, LaVerne Croucher's sewing nights have drawn as many as two dozen women each week. Some heard about her through their church, others through word of mouth.

"I had Jewish women, Mormon, Catholic ... I didn't care who you were as long as you were willing to make clothes for children," she said.

She's down to nine sewing machines of late. The decrease is due to lack of interest.

"At one point, only five people were involved," Croucher said. "Sometimes, only one or two would show up. But me, I was going all day."

The clothing she produces is given to Canyon Ridge Church, 6200 W. Lone Mountain Road, for distribution.

"With all the physical struggles she's had, she has amazing passion and desire to give," said Jody Hardenbrook, pastor at the church. "You see how hard she's worked to help other people. Her whole life has been one of, 'How can I help other people?' "

Now, Loving Hands needs more volunteers. Croucher said she is willing to teach to anyone, as long as they help make the clothes Loving Hands gives away.

For more information, call 254-2471.

LOVING HANDS

LaVerne Croucher is looking for volunteers and will teach anyone who wants to help. For information, call 254-2471.