I don't always get to blog every single thing that I want to for Gracie's Gowns because of our internet situation and the website editor not allowing me the ability to access it, but today I have the moment to share with you something super special we've done over the last couple of days.
Most of you know that I have always been the person to help anyone in need, even in our current situation where we don't have much ourselves, I always try to find a way to help when and where we can. This is just a part of who I am as a person, ever since I was a little girl...it has only been impacted more by making each of the gowns we have to date and just helping make a smile happen.
I feel it is also important to do so because I have children and I want them to see the good in the world, to have a giving and compassionate spirit - to help make the difference just one person's life...so that being said, through Gracie's Gowns we have done a little giving of our own to other groups and organizations. As a few know, my children and I will be moving this coming summer, so it was a concern about where to store and how to keep all the fabrics we've been given that haven't been requested for gowns, or that the length isn't big enough for the age group it is targeted towards - well we found just the place for it.
Most of you know that I have always been the person to help anyone in need, even in our current situation where we don't have much ourselves, I always try to find a way to help when and where we can. This is just a part of who I am as a person, ever since I was a little girl...it has only been impacted more by making each of the gowns we have to date and just helping make a smile happen.
I feel it is also important to do so because I have children and I want them to see the good in the world, to have a giving and compassionate spirit - to help make the difference just one person's life...so that being said, through Gracie's Gowns we have done a little giving of our own to other groups and organizations. As a few know, my children and I will be moving this coming summer, so it was a concern about where to store and how to keep all the fabrics we've been given that haven't been requested for gowns, or that the length isn't big enough for the age group it is targeted towards - well we found just the place for it.
45 yards of cotton and flannel fabrics are headed as we speak to Silicon Valley, California to the chapter of Days for Girls International located there.
I have personally been following the main office of Days for Girls International for at least a year, if not more and found their organization through kamsnaps.com when we were added to their charity page. I can clearly remember being in middle school when "mother nature" decided to first make her appearance and being totally mortified because it was summer time, and I of course was wearing khaki shorts - thankfully I had a super long t-shirt on and could cover everything, the rest of the day, but it was just devastating for me because I had nothing - and yet we live in country where it is easily accessible and okay to be in school (we may not want to be) or work when that time of the month comes. Imagine being in a third-world country that you have to stay in a room for a week each month because you have no way to take care of yourself - or taking measures that could cause severe health problems just so you can work.
So we were more than thrilled to help!! On their website is even patterns with instructions on how to make the personal hygiene kits and where you can mail them too once completed! You can have a whole sewing day even! There are chapters all over the world you can join your local one and help out too if you sew, donate fabric and so much more.
I have personally been following the main office of Days for Girls International for at least a year, if not more and found their organization through kamsnaps.com when we were added to their charity page. I can clearly remember being in middle school when "mother nature" decided to first make her appearance and being totally mortified because it was summer time, and I of course was wearing khaki shorts - thankfully I had a super long t-shirt on and could cover everything, the rest of the day, but it was just devastating for me because I had nothing - and yet we live in country where it is easily accessible and okay to be in school (we may not want to be) or work when that time of the month comes. Imagine being in a third-world country that you have to stay in a room for a week each month because you have no way to take care of yourself - or taking measures that could cause severe health problems just so you can work.
So we were more than thrilled to help!! On their website is even patterns with instructions on how to make the personal hygiene kits and where you can mail them too once completed! You can have a whole sewing day even! There are chapters all over the world you can join your local one and help out too if you sew, donate fabric and so much more.
Another organization we donated fabric to was to Cindy's Tubie Pads and More! Cindy contacted me about what we do with our scrap fabric from gowns and if we would be interested in donating some of it to her.
Cindy is the Great-Aunt of Karing for Kyler who inspired her project. So we loaded up a box of our flannel remnant pieces and sent those off to Maryland (only a state away from us) - the box was 11 lbs in weight!! There are a LOT of g-tube pads that can be made from that!
So we have a little more space now to keep the fabrics that we have and of course more scraps for other purposes later on. We do use a lot of our scraps for preemie and newborn gowns, but also for when we do the craft show in October to help raise money for Gracie's Gowns (fabric and shipping expenses mostly), but we always have pieces that we can't use or we just have a lot left over from.
Cindy is the Great-Aunt of Karing for Kyler who inspired her project. So we loaded up a box of our flannel remnant pieces and sent those off to Maryland (only a state away from us) - the box was 11 lbs in weight!! There are a LOT of g-tube pads that can be made from that!
So we have a little more space now to keep the fabrics that we have and of course more scraps for other purposes later on. We do use a lot of our scraps for preemie and newborn gowns, but also for when we do the craft show in October to help raise money for Gracie's Gowns (fabric and shipping expenses mostly), but we always have pieces that we can't use or we just have a lot left over from.
Last but not least in any means - we mailed off the box we were collecting stickers in for Maggie's Sticker Box.
So many stickers were mailed, picked up, dropped off to us - 10,540 to be exact! Once again we are so thrilled to be able to participate in so many efforts to just make a child smile, especially in a situation they cannot control. It is the little things that have the biggest impact and this is definitely one of them.
Miss. Maggie is so precious to our family, being the first ever recipient of a personalized gown and her courageous battle with cancer twice! She is a diva and a superhero! In November Maggie donated 30,000 stickers to Nationwide Children's Hospital in Ohio to the pediatric hematology and oncology pharmacy where they are used to decorate the chemotherapy bags! These stickers will be going to the same place - this is where Maggie has received all her treatments and procedures. Keep up the awesome work Princess Maggie! We look forward to sending another box soon!
So many stickers were mailed, picked up, dropped off to us - 10,540 to be exact! Once again we are so thrilled to be able to participate in so many efforts to just make a child smile, especially in a situation they cannot control. It is the little things that have the biggest impact and this is definitely one of them.
Miss. Maggie is so precious to our family, being the first ever recipient of a personalized gown and her courageous battle with cancer twice! She is a diva and a superhero! In November Maggie donated 30,000 stickers to Nationwide Children's Hospital in Ohio to the pediatric hematology and oncology pharmacy where they are used to decorate the chemotherapy bags! These stickers will be going to the same place - this is where Maggie has received all her treatments and procedures. Keep up the awesome work Princess Maggie! We look forward to sending another box soon!
There you have it folks - just a few more ways we give ourselves! We definitely always appreciate the love and support we receive here at Gracie's Gowns, but it fills our hearts so much to give back in return. I know the work we do gives back in so many ways and touches so many lives and hearts in a way I never dreamed would be possible, but I still love giving beyond that and spreading the love and support where we can. Each organization is connected and intertwined, just like each of our families are in so many ways.
Remember, especially during this time of year, to reach out to others around you and let them know you are there with them, helping them get through the next minute, hour, day, week or even month...that they are not alone in their journeys and that they are special to you! Sometimes all it takes is a little post on Facebook, a private message, an e-mail, or even just a little card in the mail saying that you're thinking about them.
We look forward to what is in store for Gracie's Gowns in 2014 and all that we are able to accomplish in the many years to come. Have a great Christmas and New Year in case I can't get on the blog before then!
Gracie's Gowns
Remember, especially during this time of year, to reach out to others around you and let them know you are there with them, helping them get through the next minute, hour, day, week or even month...that they are not alone in their journeys and that they are special to you! Sometimes all it takes is a little post on Facebook, a private message, an e-mail, or even just a little card in the mail saying that you're thinking about them.
We look forward to what is in store for Gracie's Gowns in 2014 and all that we are able to accomplish in the many years to come. Have a great Christmas and New Year in case I can't get on the blog before then!
Gracie's Gowns
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