Meet our Local Chapter Leaders
If you have a Chapter near you, contact your Chapter Leader to see what her current needs are and how to get involved!
What is a Chapter Leader?
Our Chapter Leaders operate as local Magic Yarn representatives for one city or metro area. CLs go through an extensive training process to be able to host workshops, train volunteers, solicit donations, manage inventory, run quality control and packaging, personally deliver wigs to local children and hospitals, and represent Magic Yarn to the media. Each CL is a long-term volunteer with Magic Yarn who “came up through the ranks” as a trained and approved crafter first. Most CLs have years of experience making beautiful wigs and beanies before applying to run their chapter.
What if I don’t have a local Chapter to get involved with?
You are not alone! Most of our volunteer base supports one of our two shipping locations remotely, submitting their donations by mail. Please use the “Volunteer” menu above to find out how you can help.
Holly Christensen
Executive Director
Making Magic in Palmer, AK
📧 Info@themagicyarnproject.com
Raised in both Alaska and Mexico, Holly has appreciated a diversity of experience and culture throughout her life. She has learned that one constant in life no matter where you go are the amazing accomplishments and acts of love that people are capable of. Holly’s desire to help and serve others led her to pursue her Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. During her college education, she completed a maternity hospital internship in central Argentina, utilizing her Spanish-speaking skills in the medical setting and helping to create educational tools for postpartum mothers.
As an RN, Holly has worked in oncology, ICU, Alzheimer’s, and orthopedics. Holly now spends her time devoted to raising her three children and running The Magic Yarn Project, which she co-founded out of her one-car garage. She was named BYU’s College of Nursing 2018 “Alumna of the Year” for her work with The Magic Yarn Project.
Cherryl McDougall
Making Magic in Phoenix, AZ
📧 Cherryl.McDougall@themagicyarnproject.com
Cherryl learned about the Magic Yarn Project in 2019 when she came across a story about a local woman who was making wigs for little cancer warriors and loved the whole idea about helping these children forget about their illness…. even if just for a magic moment. In addition to becoming an approved Magic Maker, she was active in supporting Regional MYP activities and communications. In 2022, the local Chapter Leader role became vacant and Cherryl happily stepped in.
“Since engaging with the Magic Yarn Project, it’s been an amazing period of learning, doing, and giving. An additional personal benefit for me has been connecting with a wonderful group of like-minded women from whom I’ve learned so much. I know that I still have much to learn, but I feel like I’m well on the way to helping this organization continue to make a difference in the lives of so many sweet children.”
Katie Powell
Chief Operating Officer – West
Making Magic in Arroyo Grande, CA
📧 WestCoast@themagicyarnproject.com
Katie first found Magic Yarn in May 2018 when her mother-in-law shared one of our viral videos. Since she loves all things crafty, Katie started to crochet beanies and wigs at home to send in. From her first wig (a Moana) completed that June, she was hooked! She quickly found a live workshop and drove 4 hours just to attend. Katie realized she could combine her love of teaching with her love of crochet and crafts to serve with Magic Yarn.
As our leadership needs changed on the west coast, Katie quickly trained and worked as a Chapter Leader, then our west coast Region Leader, and now as the manager of one of our two shipping hubs.
Katie and her family live in Arroyo Grande, CA.
Lanie Koziel
Making Magic in Pismo Beach, CA
📧 Lanie.Koziel@themagicyarnproject.com
Lanie learned about the Magic Yarn Project in early 2019. She was invited to a workshop and enjoyed making a wig and learning about the organization. She made a point to go to all the local workshops she could and simply loved every minute of it! She made about ten or so wigs and then the pandemic happened. She still wanted to help and knew there was a need. Katie Powell, our West Chief Operating Officer, would put together projects for Lanie to pickup and drop off once completed. It felt amazing to still be able to do something important when the world was shut down. Soon, she started to help with a few workshops and was able to see how sharing and teaching was spreading the incredible mission even further.
When Lanie isn’t making character wigs or teaching others, she is taking care of her family, shopping, and taking sunset pictures. She has been married almost 30 years and has a 24 year old daughter and 17 year old twin sons who have all helped cut lots of yarn, make wigs, and decorate envelopes for the project.
Chris Graham
Making Magic in West LA (Ventura County), CA
📧 ChrisG@themagicyarnproject.com
Chris and her team of Magic Makers began making wigs in April of 2017 and started hospital deliveries in August of that year. Two Ventura County non-profits have adopted the Magic Yarn Project with volunteer and financial support. Our chapter is now supporting 6 hospitals, a Ronald McDonald House, 2 cancer family support organizations, and whatever regional requests come our way. Being able to interact with the cancer children while distributing wigs is so heartwarming and is what makes this even more special. Seeing smiles on the faces of little cancer fighters keeps us going!
Chris does not crochet and is lucky to have Mickey, who co-chairs this chapter and can quickly whip up tiaras, snowflakes, or beanies. While Mickey oversees other crocheters, Chris coordinates workshops, fundraising, fulfilling hospital orders, and maintains inventory.
Sue Beringer
Making Magic in London, Ontario, Canada
📧 SueBeringer@themagicyarnproject.com
Sue first heard about the Magic Yarn Project when she read an article on CNN. A few weeks later, she was crocheting beanies. In January 2020, Sue became the first Chapter Leader in Canada. Sue is currently supplying wigs to Toronto Sick Kids and Mississauga Credit Valley Hospital. Sue truly enjoys volunteering for this charity.
Elfi Berndl
Making Magic in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
📧 Elfi.Berndl@themagicyarnproject.com
Elfi came across the Magic Yarn Project in 2022 while looking online for fibre related activities to share with fellow members at her Weaving Guild. She was immediately drawn to the Magic Yarn Project’s mission. Here was an organization that not only did great work but also believed in fun – bringing whimsy, giggles and play to children during difficult times. Elfi had been looking for somewhere to make a difference since her retirement. As a former elementary school teacher, a mother of a daughter who had experienced hair loss due to surgery as a young child and as an Oma to 7 grandchildren, the opportunity to help kids and their families felt like a right fit.
Elfi’s interest in setting up a chapter in the Greater Toronto Area was encouraged by many as the need in Ontario is great. And so with the support and participation of her Crafty Friends and Friends of Friends, a vibrant, engaged community of local volunteers has evolved and Canada’s second MYP Chapter has been established.
When Elfi is not up to her ears in yarn, wigs and character beanies, she can be found tinkering and crafting in her workshops. She is an Artistic Dabbler who makes decorative and useful household items. Her creations often incorporate repurposed materials and include an assortment of fibres, metal, glass, stone, wood and found objects. Her favourite art form at this time is Metal Weaving with Copper. She also enjoys reading, taking art classes, spending time with family & friends, puttering around the house and eating poutine & ice cream. And volunteering with The Magic Yarn Project is the icing on the cake!
Amy Droste
Making Magic in Westminster, CO (Denver area)
📧 AmyDroste@themagicyarnproject.com
Amy has been crocheting and making wigs for The Magic Yarn Project since summer 2018 and has been hooked ever since. She enjoys making beanies and accessories while traveling and sitting watching television with her husband, and then assembling everything together in her spare time knowing that each wig/beanie will bring a smile to a child. Amy is a substitute teacher, mother of two grown boys, loves spending time with family and friends, and enjoys being outdoors as much as possible.
Laurie Campbell
Making Magic in Rainbow Springs, FL
📧 Laurie@themagicyarnproject.com
Laurie has been a part of the Magic Yarn family for many years. First serving as an area coordinator, managing workshops and donations across northern Florida, Laurie now has and chapter in Rainbow Springs, FL in addition to administering many of Magic Yarn’s behind-the-scenes functions. As our Program Developer, Laurie skillfully oversees the annual editing and republishing of our Magic Yarn “bible,” the Guide to Magic, as well as keeping all of our digital patterns and tutorials up-to-date and accurate. Her eagle eye for yarn coordination keeps our wig guidelines aligned beautifully with each character’s signature look. Laurie is honored to work with Debbie Grimshaw, Kelli Jordan and Robin Merrill to achieve these goals.
When she’s not busy keeping the gears turning at Magic Yarn, Laurie works in the insurance industry. She lives with her family outside of Ocala, FL.
Trish Conrad
Making Magic in St. Petersburg, FL
📧 Trish.Conrad@themagicyarnproject.com
Trish was first introduced to The Magic Yarn Project when a fellow crafter invited her to a workshop in 2019. Due to her love of crafting and passion to serve the community, she was immediately hooked. Her favorite wig is Ariel because that was her daughter’s favorite Disney movie as a child. She still gets warm and fuzzy each time she makes an Ariel wig. Trish’s goal in 2023 was to learn to crochet. She joined a crochet group who kindly worked with her each week to create a few beanies until she was ready to go it alone. 90+ beanies later it’s become quite a relaxing activity for her. She isn’t a quick crocheter and hasn’t quite figured out the tiaras and starfish but has recruited some amazing gals who can.
Trish has been married for 39 years, has three grown children living in 3 different states, and has recently retired. In spring of 2024 she started working toward Chapter Leader. She’s a big planner and organizer and loves bringing her ladies’ groups together. She is amazed at all the lovely people she’s met through this project, and the many generous hands coming together to spread joy. Even her husband is a big supporter by making cutting boards and fixing wig stands. When designing the wigs, Trish thinks of the sweet littles putting on a wig, the smile on their faces, and having the wonder of childhood back for just a bit.
Brittany Harrison
Making Magic in Sykesville, MD (Baltimore area)
📧 BrittanyH@themagicyarnproject.com
Brittany has been involved with The Magic Yarn Project since late 2016 when she was looking for a charity to crochet for. She now heads up the Baltimore, MD chapter and supports a half dozen local hospitals and charities, distributing hundreds of wigs and beanies each year with the help of her small (but very dedicated) team of Magic Makers. She is a homeschooling mom of 5 kids and is always looking for more local Magic Makers to join in any capacity.
Amy Wildman
Making Magic in Grand Rapids, MI
📧 AmyW@themagicyarnproject.com
Amy has been a part of The Magic Yarn Project since 2018 when a friend sent her a video saying “you need to be part of this!” She became a Chapter Leader in 2019, servicing hospitals and Ronald McDonald Houses in the Michigan area. Amy has been married to her husband Kevin for 23 years and they have 3 adult children. In her spare time she loves to crochet, which she learned to do from her grandmother at a very young age.
Brenda Nelson
Making Magic in Rochester, MN
📧 BrendaN@themagicyarnproject.com
Brenda has been a Chapter Leader since 2020. She lives outside Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Jenny Love
Making Magic in Raleigh, NC
📧 Jenny.Love@themagicyarnproject.com
Shelly Allen
Chief Operating Officer – East
Making Magic in Kings Mills, OH
📧 Northeast@themagicyarnproject.com
Shelly is our longest-running regional leader at the Magic Yarn project. She and her mother have sacrificed much of their time and living space for storing and crafting Magic Yarn wigs and supplies! Shelly excels at creating and repairing wigs that are of the highest quality. An avid crocheter, her experience has personally trained more than half of Magic Yarn’s current staff.
Shelly’s latest role with Magic Yarn includes managing one of our two shipping hubs, where volunteers send in their creations to be checked, packaged, and distributed to brave cancer fighters. She also acts as our Chapter Leader manager, overseeing our local leaders all over the country.
Shelly loves to make memories and scrapbook them with her friends. Many of her favorite memories are with her family at Disney! Shelly works full-time in the financial field. She lives with her husband and son in Kings Mills, OH.
Kris Titko
Making Magic in Kent, OH (Akron area)
📧 KrisT@themagicyarnproject.com
Kris is the Youth and Family Ministry coordinator at her church and is also the Special Events planner at the Golf Course and Venue she and her husband are part owners of. They have been married for 34 years and have twins, Matthew and Miranda. Matthew is why the Magic Yarn Project is so dear to her heart. He lost his battle against cancer when he was 17 years old. Kris and her family know firsthand how important it is to bring a little bit of happiness into the lives of the children and their families who are going thru such a traumatic time in their lives. Captain Jack is Kris’ favorite wig as Matt (even as a teenager) loved his Captain Jack hat from Disney World! Kris has been a chapter leader and making wigs since 2019 and is thrilled to be able to deliver them to Akron Children’s, Cleveland Clinic and Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospitals.
Jessica Ash
Making Magic in Pittsburgh, PA
📧 JessicaA@themagicyarnproject.com
Jessica found Magic Yarn on Facebook while scrolling through her feed. She is an avid crocheter, and after finding out what The Magic Yarn Project was all about, she immediately contacted us to see how she could be a part.
Once selected to be a Chapter Leader, Jessica took off running, attending training, raising money, holding workshops, and even having a news broadcast attend a workshop. She has worked with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Comcast, and many other organizations to help raise money and distribute wigs.
Her favorite Disney Princess is Belle. She was recently married in 2019 and the theme of her wedding was Beauty & The Beast! Her husband is even a Magic Yarn “Fairy Godfather,” helping her with whatever she needs from bedazzling flowers to attaching yarn to wigs. Jessica’s love for this non-profit is very deep and close to her heart!
Jessica and her family live in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Ashley Henriksen
Making Magic for Utah County, UT
📧 AshleyH@themagicyarnproject.com
Ashley started making magic with her coworkers, Lani and Jami, back in the early growing years of Magic Yarn. She helped teach one of the first wig workshops in Utah. Those in attendance included young women and their mothers. During this workshop, Ashely says she felt the spirit which drives Magic Yarn-the spirit of love and desire to bring smiles back to the faces of suffering children fighting cancer. After that first workshop Ashley wanted to keep going. She became an approved crocheter, followed by being trained in the beautiful Alaska mountains. She came home and trained more to be an approved wig maker, and later trained to be a Chapter Leader. She has enjoyed every moment of making magic, and met some beautiful people-those who teach and those who make wigs. Ashley truly feels blessed to have shared a small moment with them in making children smile together and is honored to be involved.
Ashley has been married 36 years. She works as a TA and a supervisor over TAs in a charter school, and in the summer works as a cashier at a public city swimming pool. Ashley has 6 children and 3 grandchildren, who she adores and suffocates with love. She recently found, only year ago, her little old dream cottage. She likes to spend her time crocheting , knitting, and piecing quilts. She enjoys decorating, and going to the lake and throwing out a fishing line is her moment of calm. She enjoys her evenings sitting on her front porch with her husband where they are surrounded by the beautiful scenery and each others company. Ashley will forever give all she can for the cause of children.