Giving Back
to our Community

By Gail Brown

Heartfelt Generosity–Countless Reasons to Give.

Stitchers are selfless. If there's a cause that can be served with a needle and thread "they shall come." The following charities prove it, generally quietly and without acclaim. During this season of giving, celebrate the joy and hope that come with making a difference. Claim a cause and put your creativity to work.

Thinking about Volunteering?

Read through the charity descriptions here, and become inspired to assist one of them or create your own project for a different cause.

When deciding on a project, "test market" the prototypes. Distribute a sampling, then survey recipients to fine-tune the color, fabric and design. Donate the garments to social agencies, clothing banks, churches or schools in your area.

When querying staff or volunteers, don't get discouraged by the occasional abrupt or delayed response. These organizations are chronically short on time, dollars and staff.

Before shipping donations, contact the organization to confirm the contents are needed. If a tax-deduction receipt is important to you, ask about it before donating.

Care Wear

When she realized her personal efforts were dwarfed in relation to the demand, Bonnie Hagerman put her organizational skills to work founding this organization. Thousands of Care Wear volunteers from coast-to-coast serve hospital patients in their towns and cities, making burial gowns, preemie garments, layettes, juvenile comfort toys and hats for cancer-treatment patients.

You can help by sending tax-deductible checks or material donations such as yarn, flannel, white lightweight cottons, narrow lace, white thread, quilt fabrics, batting and fiberfill. Contact Care Wear Volunteers, c/o Hood College, Dept. SN, 401 Rosemont Ave., Frederick, MD 21701, attn: Bonnie Hagerman, call (301) 696-3550 or visit www.carewear.org.

Telecom Pioneer and "The Bear Lady"

During her twenty-plus years of retirement from a phone company, Merle McMannis faithfully stitched and stuffed "Hug-A-Bears" to comfort children victimized by car accidents, fires, abuse or assault. Her daughter, Janice Meltzer, shared the news about her mom's passionate volunteerism ("From the Heart," June '03 Sew News), and now, sadly, of her death in 2004. Merle's giving spirit lives on through continued Hug-A-Bear production and the many other charitable works of the Telecom Pioneers.

To help, send tax-deductible donations to Western Pioneers of Montana Council, Dept. SN, 5610 Eastside Hwy, Stevensville, MT 59870, attn: Joanne Salyer, Hug-A-Bears.

From the November 2005 issue of Sew News magazine.