Description
NGA was founded in 1885 in Philadelphia, PA by Mrs. Alanson Hartpence, her niece Mrs. Laura Safford Steward and six of her friends. They were inspired by Lady Wolverton's Queen Mary's London Needlework Guild. Following the model of the Queen Mary's London Needlework Guild, the Needlework Guild of America in its first year made 921 garments to distribute to children in hospitals, orphanages, and to individuals and families who were needy. In 1896, NGA-Needlework Guild of America was legally incorporated. Once established, these forward-thinking women worked to expand NGA and its services. As a result, NGA spread rapidly throughout the United States, and at its height had more than 600 branches in all 50 states. Today, there are 19 NGA branches in seven states that are operated by dedicated volunteers. Each branch operates independently from each other and the National office. The National office, located in Warminster, PA. Today, NGA is managed by a paid executive director and operates with a dedicated team of volunteers, and has forged working relationships with many community organizations.
Since its founding, NGA has provided many individuals and families with more than seven million articles of clothes, toiletries and linens basic. Each year, NGA serves more than 188,000 individuals. In addition, we have provided items in times of national crisis, such as wars, natural disasters, and economic and financially crippling events that cause hardships for individuals and families.
