Sew Much For Charity in March!

There will be no meeting in my home in March. Instead, we will host our Sew Much for Charity on Saturday, March 15, 2008 from 1:00 to 4:00 pm at Trinity United Methodist Church, 210 West Main Street, Hummelstown. SEE YOU THERE!!!

Pinnacle Health asked us for our help. Joan Line, Director of Volunteer Services said she needs 6 to 12 soft books with different fasteners on each page so their adult stroke victims who are in rehab can learn how to fasten their clothes with one hand. Specifically, she asked for a hook and eye (the type used in slacks), a snap, a button, velcro, a buckle, and a shoe lace on its own page. These books are for adults, so juvenile prints wouldn't be appropriate. The books will be laundered a lot, so they need to be of a sturdy construction. I told her we had projects scheduled through May, but if you want to experiment with this project ahead of that, that would be great.

We also got a request from Sue Espenshade, Manager of Volunteer Services at Hershey Medical Center for small drawstring bags. When a family loses a child at the Hershey Medical Center pediatric unit, the child's hand is cast in a mold, the mold is put in a box, and then given to the family as a keepsake. The lady who used to make these bags for Hershey's Child Bereavement program isn't able to do it anymore. Sue was praying about how to find someone else to make the bags, when on the very same day, one of our Sewin' Sisters happened to chat with her, and learned of Hershey Med's need. How weird is that!!! The drawstring bag's size can be from 6.5" x 7.5," to 11" square. Sue would prefer a print with clouds, stars, or hearts. They need 100 a year.

We have 55 summer camp totebags for Salvation Army already finished! We're a bit more than half way there! I'll bring the pre-cut totebags to our Sew Much for Charity so you can take some home with you to work on until we meet again in my home in April. And here's a repeat of what Salvation Army and Interfaith Ministries need on a continual basis: Salvation Army: any winter items such as hats, mittens, long sleeve pajamas, long sleeve shirts, scarves, slippers, prayer shawls, 45 adult smocks, 60 youth smocks, 30 children's aprons, totebags to hold emergency items for disaster victims (any style, size, color, or print), towels, wash cloths, blankets, curtains, linens, towels, wash cloths, hand towels, table cloths, placemats, etc. Interfaith Ministries: blankets for babies, toddlers, twin size beds, etc., slippers (all sizes), tote bags to carry toiletries, laundry bags, sweatpants for children and adults (especially helpful to pregnant moms as their size continues to change), dishtowels, hot pads, towels, wash clothes/wash mitts, children's clothes (all sizes), shorts, summer and winter modest nighties and pjs, ponchos, baby bottle brushes, and pots and pans. And BOTH charities need personal care items like toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant, etc. in sample/hotel sizes. Bring what you have on hand to our Sew Much for Charity and we'll see that Salvation Army and Interfaith Ministries gets them. Thanks.

Until we meet again, here's a lovely old Irish Blessing from St. Patrick himself!
May the strength of God pilot us,
May the wisdom of God instruct us,
May the hand of God protect us,
May the word of God direct us.
Be always ours this day and forever more. St. Patrick

P.S. Why should you never iron a 4 leaf clover? You don't want to press your luck!

Here's our total of pieces sewn for February: CAIU: 16 nightgowns. Interfaith Ministries: total 158. 42 blankets, 29 bibs, 5 fitted crib sheets, 2 pair of shorts, 5 infant/toddler pjs, 3 ladies nighties, 4 children’s jammies, 4 wash cloths, 1 lap pad, 2 tea towels, 34 infant/toddler pants, 5 girls nighties, 9 infant nighties, 10 duffle bags, 2 pair women’s pj pants, 2 totebags, 10 crochet dish cloths, 1 crocheted afghan, 6 tied blankets, 1 girls jumper, 1 girl’s sweatshirt, 1 ready made woman’s pj’s, 1 ready made woman’s sweatshirt, 1 ready made man’s housecoat, 11 ready made receiving blankets. Morning Star: total 85. 2 ready made blankets, 1 crochet blanket, 2 waterproof pads, 1 ready made boy’s pants set, 1 pair crocheted booties, 1 ready made diaper cover, 2 ready made infant night gowns, 1 pair baby sox, 1 ready made T-shirt, 2 ready made boy’s vests, 45 baby blankets, 12 crib sheets, 2 wash cloths, 12 bibs. Salvation Army: total 224. 55 summer camp totebags, 1 crochet dish cloth, 9 hand towels, 22 child/adult smocks, 30 blankets, 5 duffle bags, 2 sweaters, 27 bibs, 13 scarves, 7 hats, 53 pairs of mittens. Items donated 483