COMMUNITY SERVICE

May/June 2011

Above are most of the turtles our members sewed for Paul Newman's Hole in the Wall camps and I mailed to Los Angeles in July.

 Next to it is a Note we received at Christmas time thanking us for our support for The Painted Turtle project. Eva

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November/December 2010

Community Service Project 2011

The Painted Turtle Camp is one of Paul Newman’s Hole in the Wall Camps. While there are other Hole in the Wall Camps, there is only one Painted Turtle Camp and the turtle pillows are exclusive to this camp. The turtle pillow pattern belongs to the camp and may only be used for the purpose of creating pillows for this project. Because of the size of the pattern (36” x 36”) and the cost of producing it, a pattern that may be traced and shared was given to each Chapter President at Conference. Each Neighborhood Group was given a copy of the master pattern so it can be traced for our members. There are some important things to follow in making these pillows.  Make sure you use 100% cotton fabric, no fleece or corduroy.

Buttons are okay for the eyes.

Use only the approved label—on the underside of the tail. Labels will be available from your NG leader.

Embroidery designs will be available for the eyes on www.asg.org along with further instructions.

All turtles should be given to a Neighborhood Group leader for her to give to our Community Service chairperson, Eva Winter. Eva will mail them to L.A. as instructed by the National Board.

It was noted that 70% of donated pillows arrive in girly colors and prints, so our Executive Director, Margo Martin has put out a challenge to those of us who are mothers, grandmothers, sisters, and aunts with special boys in our lives to create boy turtles and send them in honor of the boys we love. There are all kinds of boy prints available—for little boys and teenagers! Please send her a digital picture of them and she will post them on the ASG website.

I hope you all have fun making these turtle pillows and know that they will go to help a child during a rough time in their lives.

Kathleen Heinicke

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September/October 2010

March/April 2010

During 2009, we created 98 T-Shirt camisoles, 250 small pillows and 7anti-ouch pouches for the American Cancer Society. More pillows are needed.  We made 5 lap robes, converted 3 men’s shirts and made 5 signature quilts and 6 adult bibs for Hospice.  ASG members donated 106 quilts to Kidzquilts.  We gave 34 baby hats, 8 fleece blankets, 57 matching hat, bootie and blanket sets, 21 quilts, 41 receiving blankets and 5 bibs to Sarasota Memorial Hospital.  Sarasota Rehab Hospital received 6 walker bags.  SPARCC received over 100 cosmetic items and 5 gifts for moms, as well as gifts for moms and kids for the holidays. These are always needed.  We made 145 pillow slips for the St. Pete Ronald McDonald Houses. They would like more.  U.S. soldiers received 104 cool ties. Brenda B. made the VFW a requested casket flag.Our mission statement is “Advancing Sewing as an Art and Life Skill”.  In 2009, 23 sewers became teachers giving 359 hours to teach 127 students various sewing skills. 

2010 Challenge: Can we donate more this year?

Kathy Hepburn, Past Chairman

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November/December 2009

An Update on Our Venture with GIRLS INCORPORATED By Eva Winter

At Girls Incorporated of Sarasota County, 201 So. Tuttle Avenue, Sarasota, FL34237, we are continuing to teach sewing. Our original “crew” of Deneen, Donna, Marie, Kathy (She is on vacation in September.) and I have been going to Girls, Inc. every Friday. Now that school is back in session, our meeting is in the afternoon from 2:45 to 4:15pm.

We still have different girls every week, but a few are repeats. They still like making pillows in different shapes (like little stuffed animals) with decorations.

We taught some hand sewing, and they practiced sewing on buttons.  We have some projects planned and if anybody would like to join us, let us know. We hope we will have more volunteers. Not everybody has to be there every week, just as your schedule allows. It is a fun time being with the young girls!

Please call: Eva Winter at 941-966-7786, if you would like to join us. 

Girls inc. is a national non-profit organization with 90 centers in the U.S.A. Their slogan is: “Inspiring All Girls to be Strong, Smart and Bold”. You can read more about them on their website: www.girlsincsrq.org.

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Posted October 30, 2009

In addition to all the other Neighborhood Group donations for the Ronald McDonald house that Dolly our President took to the National Convention in Albuquerque, NM., 56 pillow cases from the chapter were delivered to the Ronald McDonald House in St. Petersburg, FL.

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Posted September/November 2009

A NEW VENTURE

ASG & GIRLS INCORPORATED

By Eva Winter

At Girls Incorporated of Sarasota County, 201 So. Tuttle Avenue, Sarasota, FL34237, we are teaching sewing. Girls inc. is a national non-profit organization with 90 centers in the U.S.A. Their slogan is: “Inspiring All Girls to be Strong, Smart and Bold”. You can read more about them on their website: www.girlsincsrq.org.

To make a long story short, Deneen Reed and I met with the director of Community Relations, Kay Mathers, on Monday July 20^th and taught a class on July 24^th. Twelve girls, aged 8 through 14 attended. We had no time to plan anything special and did not know what to expect. We just winged it, you might say.

They have 4 Singer sewing machines, but we only used one that day. Deneen gave some safety instructions and explained some of the machine parts to the whole group. Then, we let all of the girls sew. Only some girls had sewn on a machine before, but all of them managed very well!

We were ready to embark on another class on July 31^st, with more of a plan. At our board meeting on July 27^th, Marie Gartley, Cathy Hepburn and Donna Lundquist volunteered to join us on Friday.  We planned to make little pillows.

On July 31^st, we found that some of the girls were new. That’s how it is in summer. Not all of the girls are at the center every day.  Thanks to all the volunteers and Campbell, we got through the one hour session. Most of the girls went home in a happy mood with their little pillow in hand. All were very polite and friendly.  We will be there every Friday from now on until school starts. The hours are 10am until noon. When school starts, the sessions will be on Friday, after school, from 3 to 5pm. We will have even more time to plan little projects.

Girls inc. has a great place with lots of classrooms, a kitchen, a little theater, a gym, a big indoor swimming pool, tennis courts and a play area outside. We toured the building and grounds and were very impressed.

I feel this is what we have been looking for as a good community

undertaking. We hope we will have more volunteers. Not everybody

has to be there every week, just as your schedule allows.  I will keep you informed on our website: www.sarasota-asg.com, in our newsletter: Needle News and through our neighborhood group leaders. Please call:

Eva Winter at 941-966-7786, if you would like to join us.

Sew 1-2-3 Day Camp

June 22-24, 2009

Our Chapter’s first Sew Camp at the 4-H facilities in Palmetto was a HUGE success! All 17 kids, ranging in ages from 6-16, were remarkable to work with.

Diana Smith, 4-H Youth Development Agent and her assistant, Angelita made us feel at home in their wonderful facilities.  We thank them for this opportunity to allow us to teach these young people the art of sewing. There is talk of continuing this education as a monthly sewing club to meet during the school year. We are also looking forward to another Sew Camp next year!

The young cloverbuds (5-7 yr olds) were taught by Jackie Silvasy, Dolly Haerr, and Della Covert. They had fun projects to do-from hand sewing pillow shapes, sewing on buttons, making button bracelets, and appliqués greeting cards.  They even had the chance to sew on a real sewing machine!  We had the other 14 kids pick numbers, then they found their sewing machine, numbered the same. Then the fun began!!  Marie Gartley explored the world of notions with a game of scavenger hunt and word scramble. Helaine Eckstein brought her Singer Featherweight Sewing Machine to show them the parts of the machine and how to thread it. The kids thought it was a toy and was fascinated by it.

After practicing sewing on the lines of notebook paper and learning to pivot they were ready to sew on fabric! Tuesday morning Kathleen Heinicke taught them how to make a pillowcase.  They were excited about this because one of the fabrics was a 4-H clover print that was donated to the guild.  After lunch Tuesday, Kathy Pell brought her button & bead collection to share with them and taught them how to make button & bead bracelets. It was fun to see the different collections that were put together! Yellow & green? Oh Yeah!  John Deer colors!!

Wednesday morning we descended upon JoAnn Fabrics for our field trip. The kids learned about patterns selection, measuring & cutting fabric, notions and the different fabrics and their many uses.

Off to Sonic Burger for lunch!! Back at camp, Kathleen taught them how to make and embellish their jean purses.  At 3 pm, we wrapped up the 3-day camp with a Celebration Recognition Program, presenting each child with their certificate of completion. What a wonderful treat to see the parents that came for this! Diana & Angelita surprised us with a photo presentation at the end, showing random pictures of the 3 days working with the children. It was a wonderful recap of our efforts and rewards with the kids!  I would like to THANK the 11 volunteers that gave of their talents, time, and energy to make this the success that it was!  When our chapters sets a goal and makes a commitment, our members come forward TO MAKE IT HAPPEN!!  Marie Gartley, Helaine Eckstein, Kathy Pell, Brenda Broadbent, Eva Winters, Edna Sams, Elsie Mason, Jayne Steiff, Jackie Silvasy, Della Covert, and Dolly Haerr My personal reflection of this camp---it was one of the most rewarding things I have done! Yes! It was a lot of work planning and organizing, but working with each one of you made it go very smoothly!

Kathleen Heinicke

The Sew 1-2-3 Camp was the first experience teaching a group of youth how to sew. The youths were all interested in what we had to offer. I think we met the challenge to show them the fun of creating something useful or enjoyable from a piece of cloth. I enjoyed the three great days!

Marie Gartley

It was a tremendous pleasure working with the girls from 4-H and their leaders. Seventeen well behaved kids in one room is something to behold. Not one cross word or deed! I was amazed and very proud of them.

Brenda Broadbent

The three days at our recent ASG 4-H sewing camp were quite rewarding: a bit tiring but well worth it for both teachers and students! I especially enjoyed the kid’s excitement at being trusted with their “own” sewing machine for three days, and then their daily progress learning sewing skills,….  the smiles on their faces and the pride in their accomplishments!  They were great Kids!! It was fun and I am looking forward to future adventures with 4-H.

Jayne Steiff

WHAT AN EXPERIENCE! I will always remember Megan, Sean and Payton. They were really creative and I found they loved the hand sewing of pillow form shapes. The button bracelet, create a card and sewing on a REAL sewing machine was okay!! I could not have done it without the help of Della Covert and Dolly Haerr. We will need one on one teachers for the Cloverbuds next year. Anyone wanting a really touching experience should plan to help with next year’s Sewing Camp. I know I will be! Thanks, Cloverbuds.

Jackie Silvasy

The young ladies and the young gentleman tailor-to-be were interested , creative (some—very much so) and had other interesting hobbies and skills. I was pleased that so many parents took an interest in what the youngsters did during the week, volunteered and attended the final Recognition Ceremony.  The sewing program was well planned including refreshment breaks provided by 4-H at just the right time! It was fun and an experience I will never forget!

Elsie Mason

A ‘FULL CIRCLE’ EXPERIENCE FOR ME

By Helaine Eckstein

When I was 10 years old we moved from a house in the city to a 200 acre farm. My father insisted we go to 4-H and I went kickin’ and screamin’. I wanted nothing to do with animals or gardening. I really didn’t like getting my hands dirty, nor did I like being out in the hot summer weather. I finally agreed to have a tomato garden, but I never saw one tomato from that planting! However, I do have a scar from climbing the barbed wire fence and not quite clearing it to get to my garden. Being coerced to 4-H, I found there was such a thing as sewing. I knew little about it, as my mother did not sew. I was sure that anything would be better than doing that outdoor stuff! My dad agreed that the sewing was OK and I took to sewing like a duck takes to water! I found out my Mom had an old machine stashed away in the house. My grandmother came that summer and taught me how to layout a pattern. From there I pretty much was on my own. I sewed and I sewed and I sewed. I studied the guide sheets and learned to read those drawings. I made lots of mistakes and I enjoyed the challenge. I don’t remember being in 4-H too long, so I was pretty much on my own as my mother could not help me. I was making my school clothes and family gifts and loving it.

Years passed and on my first day of 9^th grade I walked into a classroom full of sewing machines. I had not heard of Home Economics before but I knew I was going to like this class.  My teacher was a really neat lady, and she recognized my gift long before I did. It was such an exciting time for me, as I now knew what I wanted to do with my life.  I got my degree in Vocational Home Economics and spent 30 years teaching in Pennsylvania and Florida. When I retired in 1989, I decided to play with my sewing like making cloth dolls and teddy bears. Before I knew it, I was teaching those classes in some of the local fabric/sewing machine stores and loving every minute of it. The older I got the more difficult it was to tote all that stuff around , so several years ago I decided to retire again.

A few months ago I heard Kathleen Heinicke, leader of Creative Sassy Sewers, mention ASG is going to sponsor a 4-H Sewing Camp in June and would anyone be interested in helping.  I was sooooooooooooo excited that my hand went straight up in the air. What a privilege to give back what I was once given! It brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it.  Today was the last day of the camp and my heart is full. It was more rewarding than I could ever have imagined. I had forgotten how much I enjoy the children and the teaching. Believe me when I say this group of kids were super nice.  I am so grateful to Kathleen for orchestrating this event for ASG. The first time for any new experience is always a monstrous challenge and without such diligent planning it could have been a disaster. I thank you Kathleen and ASG for giving me the opportunity to have been a part of this exciting new adventure.  For those of you ASG members who were not able to participate this year and missed out on this wonderful experience, I hope you will be able to join in next time. We need to share our sewing know how with this generation of children or it will be a lost art without a doubt.

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2010 COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT

The American Sewing Guild is proud to announce the selection of the U.S. Troops Drawstring Bag as our 2010 national community service project. A project of Operation Care Package, a non-profit organization that receives, fills and mails the drawstring bags to deployed service men and women from all branches of the armed forces.

Please note: ASG headquarters will not be receiving or shipping the bags. We will not have a drop off area for them during the 2010 conference. The bags can be mailed directly to and can be shipped anytime to:

Operation Care Package

611 Wilcox Street

Joliet, IL 60435

ASG Members, please report the number of sent bags to your neighborhood group leader who will notify the chapter representative who will be maintaining a count for ASG. A drawstring bag pattern (created for this project) has been designed by Laura Martell of The Creative Thimble

and will be available soon from your neighborhood group leader.

Operation Care Package has requested that we enclose a note of appreciation thanking the recipient for their service.  Friends at Scrap Smart have designed a special appreciation label and a card that can be used to include a personal note!  ASG Headquarters will let us know when these will be available from their website.

Abby Wright, ASG Director of Communications

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Kathy Hepburn (941)952-0543 turtle tootsie@yahoo.com

May/June 2009

This is just a reminder to let you know what items are needed. 

Want patterns/directions? See your neighborhood group leader or call me, Kathy Hepburn

Our Chapter is an active chapter that, besides members who sew personal garments, quilts, home furnishings, and many different craft items, prides itself on its Community Service and charitable activities which include: Sewing for the Neonatal units of two hospitals, making Preemie hats and gowns, blankets and quilts; Sewing for Hospice in four cities; Sewing and donating ditty bags and toiletries to three adult and child protection agencies; and Sewing cancer caps and pillows for "Sew for the Cure". These activities sometimes take place at Neighborhood Group Meetings, local sewing stores or some members work on them at home. Much of the materials for these charitable projects are donated.

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November/December 2008

Our Pins & Needles Group made 17 bibs, 17 hats and 49 cancer pillows during their workshop in September! Thank you so much! The W.A.G. and Sew Much Fun groups made quite a few cancer hats, but the count won’t be in until the rest are turned in at the next meeting. Both gals I talked to (below) said they really, really appreciated all that ASG does for their groups.  I have received answers from two groups that I contacted and that are in need of items. I do not have all the sizes yet, but will pass them on to you through your group leaders, as soon as I do.

Sarasota Memorial NICU needs items and sizes as follows:

1.   Transport bags (9’x12”) for baby belongings; 2. Lightweight receiving blankets square for swaddling (no padding or fill in these); 3. Knitted or crocheted blankets (Min. of 22”x22”); 4.  Polar-tec blankets:square for swaddling and rectangular for beds.  ACS: Turban style hats made of soft materials and various colors, Small 9”x12” pillows (softly filled) for women.

by Kathy Hepburn 

May/June 2008

We have received a nice thank you letter from Sarasota Memorial Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). We want to pass this “thank you” along to all of you who have been so generous to these little babies. In 2007, there were 1826 baby boys and 1806 baby girls born at Sarasota Memorial. There were 93 sets of twins and 3 sets of triplets.
Of course, we also have to thank everyone who donated to Hospice, SPARCC, VA Hospital, and Sunset Lake Health and Rehab. Our Neighborhood groups made cool ties, walker bags, quilts, and cancer hats. It is difficult to mention everything that has been done. My report to National ASG always has at least two
pages! Our members are wonderful and giving, both of time and materials.
If anyone needs information or patterns, please call me, or ask your neighborhood group leader. Keep up the good work!
Annette

July/August 2006

A big thank you to everyone who came to the community service workshop to work on St. Jude’s quilts and baby layette items. 

The quilts are beautiful--hope you get to see them when they are finished.  The baby layette items for  the National ASG service project will make many Washington DC babies happy!  We serged and sewed and have many tiny blankets, bibs, and kimonos to take to the convention this year. It is always more fun when we can work together on a project.

Annette Alberter

January/February 2006

As 2005 was my last year as Chairperson for Community Service I would like to thank all you ladies and your friends for the generous donations you have made to the local organizations we support. Your gifts are appreciated by those whose lives you have touched with your skills and generosity. I have enjoyed this position for the last three years and would like to give someone else the chance to carry on. Annette Alberter has volunteered to chair Community Service. I am sure you all will give her your support and help

Thank you, Eva Winter 

November / December 2005

This is a report on our last Chat-n-Sew in August which was mostly dedicated to Community Service projects.

We had a lot of precut articles ready to be sewn, cancer pillows, cancer caps, ditty bags, lap robes and adult cover ups for Hospice.

I was a little disappointed in the turn out of members to help. But then it was summer and a lot of people were away.

None the less we accomplished a lot and the fellowship during the day was wonderful and everybody had a good time.

Lots of articles were taken home to sew and they are coming back to me finished. We were fortunate to have all the stuffing for the cancer pillows donated to us by Jo-Ann Fabrics. They also sent me a gift card for the store. I called Laura Stutzman at Sarasota Hospital and asked her what they could use right now. They were in need of little receiving blankets. So with my 40% discount coupon and the gift card I was able to buy a lot of soft pretty flannel. Again, they were cut and ready to be finished. I will be able to deliver them soon to the Hospital and Hospice. We took a break for lunch and enjoyed all the delicious dishes everybody had brought.

Thank you all for coming and making this a successful day for Community Service.

By Eva Winter

Members working diligently, having lunch and the end result of our efforts.

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            Would you like to help teach Girl Scouts??

            Girl Scout Troop 703 needed a service project and decided to make "soap on a rope" for SPARCC, the girl's idea. This project consisted of sewing a bar of soap inside of a washcloth and attaching a cord for hanging. I was asked to help and it was a comfortable experience. The Troop leader was in charge, the girls were ages 10-12, the girls's Mothers also were there one on one, and some brought their sewing machines. My job was general helper. This was a very simple project but the girls were very enthused and enjoyed themselves. One or two girls had previously run a machine, but generally this was a new experience.

            I heard later about one young lady. She saved her babysitting money to buy a machine, obtained free fabric and made a skirt, all on her own. The skirt was very cute but unfortunately it kind of disintergrated in the wash. The free fabric was home dec & did not wash. But just think - someone who never sewed, went ahead and designed & sewed her garment!!!

            The new Girl Scout Headquarters in Sarasota will have a facility to be used by the girls for troop meetings or special projects. There may be sewing machines available. Some troop leaders may be interested in simple projects. It would be helpful to have one or two persons from ASG available as consultants or guides. Is anyone interested in such a project in the future?  Give me a call. 

Marie Putnam

923-6927 marielputnam@Yahoo.com

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September was National Sewing Month and American Sewing Guild sewers were busy at their machines making beautiful items that have been put on display at various libraries around our area such as Sarasota, Venice, Selby Garden and Gulf Gate.

Some of the sewers that have articles on display at Fruitville Library are members of American Sewing Guild in the neighborhood groups of “Pins and Needles” of Bradenton, “Sew What’s New” of Sarasota and “Sew Much Fun” of Venice.   Some pictures are included in this newsletter.  Thank you to all involved.

As a result of one of these displays the “Sew What’s New” group now has a new member.

Tedda Cooper, collaborate - Sally Childers

Display case at Gulf Gate Library with typical Community Service items.

Displays at the Fruitville (l) and Selby Libraries

July / August 2005

Community Service Needs Help!

For some time now we have been accumulating material and sewing related articles, at our storage unit, which Elaine has been able to secure for ASG free of charge, which we cannot afford otherwise.

We have been trying to find uses for these donated items.

We just had a garage sale at Norma Holman’s house in Sarasota. She and Elaine transferred two van’s full of boxes and bags, no small undertaking I can assure you. Tables were set up in Norma’s garage, which was quite comfortable since temperatures were in the 80’s. I for one had no idea how much had been collected. While it is quite wonderful to have all these donations, it is a tremendous job for a few members to handle. We thank everybody for their efforts at the garage sale and all of you who showed up and hopefully found something “you couldn’t do without”. Our Chapter made around $300.00, which of course was the purpose of this exercise. But now there is a lot of “stuff” left over. It was decided that none of it should go back to the storage unit. We are not sure how long we can count on the generosity of the storage unit management.

We separated the leftovers. Material suitable for children’s quilts has been donated to ABC QUITS. Some of our ASG members belong to that organization, I am one of them, so my car trunk was filled to the top and I have taken it all to the ABC monthly meeting at the Fruitville Library where all donations were very much appreciated. We meet there every 4^th Monday of the month. Everybody is welcome to join. The finished quilts go to various charities, wherever there is a need, but mainly ABC QUILTS.

Right now I am also storing half a dozen boxes filled to the brim with more material. We want to make good use of it all. Some of the materials, that we felt did not fit our needs, have been given to Goodwill.

So now we need everybody’s help to process what has been kept. We will have things cut for adult cover-ups and lap robes for Hospice, cancer pillows and cancer caps for the Hospital and the Cancer Society, and also ditty bags for SPARCC. We have all the supplies we need and then some.

August 4^th is our next Chat-n-Sew. I would appreciate it if we could make this day a Chapter Sewing Event for Community Service. Of course you are still welcome to work on your own projects. The meeting is at the North Sarasota Library on MLK Way, (between Route 301 and Tuttle Avenue) and Newton Blvd. It’s a great place; some of you probably have been there. ““Sew” have machine will travel”. The Library opens at 10. Be there to secure a good seat, just kidding, there are plenty of tables, you might want to bring a pillow. You may bring a friend . We will have a potluck lunch, bring whatever strikes your fancy. If you don’t want to lug a machine there will be plenty to do. Even if you can stay only for a little while, many hands make light work, to use a cliché.

I am hoping to set it up almost assembly style. I hear it works very effectively. I have never done this but with the participation of all our neighborhood groups and their enthusiasm I am sure we can accomplish a lot, reduce our stash and most importantly serve our Community. Any questions: Give me a call 941-966-7786, or e-mail me at mikeandeva@comcast.net.

.

Hope to see you all on August 4^th at the Library.

Eva Winter, Community Service

St. Jude Quilts July / August 2005

For two years, the Pins & Needles neighborhood group has been making quilts for St. Jude. This year the Chapter members were invited to join them. There were 19 quilts made and the number will be divided so the Hancock stores in Bradenton and Sarasota will each receive some to be sent on to the hospital from out ASG chapter. One quilt will go with the group going to the ASG National Conference. Thank you to all the contributors. The quilts are all different, but beautiful.

Marie Gartley  

February 2005

All ASG Chapters were encouraged by National to join in this years partnership with Hancock Fabrics in the 

Quilt of Dreams project.

Marie Gartley, our Education Chairperson, was able to reserve the Anna Marie Island Power Squadron Building in Bradenton on February 16, 2005, for our quilt-in to work on "The Quilt of Dreams".  Members of our Chapter were invited to an all-day session with a break for lunch. Material and batting were on hand and the sewing machines were going at high speed. We all had a great time and the satisfaction that these quilts were going to bring some love and comfort to children whose lives we all wish we could help change. Most of the quilts were finished at home and a lot of additional ones are being collected.

Back row- Marie Gartley, Della Covert (peeking), Suzanne Goldman, Mary Jane Fuller, Eva Winter, Jean Johnson, Norma Holman, Judy Bennett, Pat DiMicele, Jennie Murphy and Mary Ann Acton.

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 The Hands of Heritage Quilt concept for the Hands of Heritage Multi-Cultural Festival was conceived by artist and Ringling Art School graduate, Danielle Glayshur-Cobian (of Inspired Art Solutions) to be a community project and encourage involvement and self-expression. 

Coordinating the quilt project was Ella Toy, owner of Alma Sue's Quilts, Sarasota. Original design blocks were created by ASG quilters Elaine Chapman, Della Covert, Norma Holman, Tedda Cooper, Mary Ann Acton, Eva Winter and Joyce Suplica. Also making quilt blocks were quilters from Friendship Knot Quilters Guild, Inc., Venice Quilting Guild, Cotton Patch Quilt Shop and Alma Sue's Quilts. 

The amazingly diverse quilt blocks reflect Sarasota's history, including a representation of the Bertha Honore Palmer cattle ranch & experimental farm, the circus elephant, symbolic of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, the famous John Ringling circus trains, the elegant Ringling Ca`d Zan Mansion, the old (1958) & the new (2003) Ringling Causeway Bridge to Lido Key, the 1927 Spirit of Sarasota logo, one block depicts terrazzo floor tile in the (1941) Chidsey Library, the first golf  course in Florida (1886), the flamingos of Jungle Gardens, vintages autos traveling unpaved Sarasota bay front road, the Sailor Circus logo, 1920's Amish horse & buggy and fish, turtles, dolphins, palm trees, parrots, the flora & fauna of our beautiful tropical paradise!

The Centennial Quilt has been donated to the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce & is currently traveling to Sarasota city buildings and libraries & will one day be permanently hung possibly at the Van Wezel or Chamber of Commerce in a place of honor to become part of Sarasota's history.

Fall of 2003

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R.O.C.K. CAMP QUILTS

Kathy Bush, a volunteer from the American Cancer Society inquired whether we would be interested and willing to help in her project for R.O.C.K Camp “Reaching Out to Cancer Kids”. Children with cancer can spend some time there free of charge. She had 12” muslin blocks painted by kids at the camp last year. We had no problem getting our ladies involved with this project. Everybody was enthused about. It. We ended up with three quilts and 10 individual block wall hangings. They were beautiful and everybody put their personal preference on the finishing.

We invited Kathy to our next meeting to present them to her. She surprised us with having our local TV station come and video the presentation. We were shown on different newscast all day and the next much to everyone’s delight. These items were auctioned off at the American Cancer Society’s Annual Ball, this year it was the Cattle Baron Ball.

Kathy returned the next month to award our volunteers with t-shirts from the American Cancer Society.  She thanked us again and informed us that we helped raise over $2,100.00 for the camp. Everybody was very pleased.

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CANCER PILLOWS: 

Cancer pillows are always in great demand. These pillows should finish to approximately 8 inches x 12 inches, to 12 x 16 inches or heart shaped any size to fit under the arm  and be made of soft material such as fleece, knit or flannel and loosely stuffed so that they can be snuggled against the wound by mastectomy patients. 

We donate them to Sarasota Memorial Hospital and the Cancer Society in Sarasota and Bradenton. 

Also cover ups (bibs) for adults are always needed at Hospice. 

Another very welcome item there are our shirts for patience. If anyone would like some more information how to make them give me a call.

November 2004

On behalf of all the organizations listed below, which our Chapter has supported this year, I would like to thank all the members and their friends who donated the hand made items. Everything is very appreciated. I have received numerous "thank you’s" from these groups. I wanted to pass this on to you, especially if you were not at our Annual Meeting at Marina Jack's in November 2004. 

The organizations we supported are: Sarasota Memorial Hospital, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Heart Unit and Cancer Unit; Hospice, Bradenton, Palmetto, Sarasota & Venice; SPARCC, Safe Place & Rape Crisis Center; Cancer Society, Bradenton and Sarasota; ABC Quilts, At-risk Baby Crib Quilts; Hope Family Services; North Port Police; North River Care Pregnancy Center; Our Mothers House; Quality Nursing Home; TLC, Tender Loving Care Ministries, Bethlehem, PA; and St. Jude Hospital. 

Items we have donated in 2004:  109 Baby quilts, 91 preemie quilts, 60 layette items, 73 sets of preemie blankets and booties (crochet or knitted), 308 hats, 119 pair of booties, 187 neck rolls, 6l hospital transfer bags, 2 preemie gowns and 14 bibs, 70 crib size quilts, 116 cancer pillows and 24 cancer caps. 244 ditty bags and 20 shoe boxes of toiletries, 118 hospice shirts, 43 adults cover-ups and 4 lap robes, 36 tote bags for hurricane victims, 8 foley (IV) bags, 10 crib size quilts to St. Jude. To TLC 16 girls dresses, 19 slips, 5 jumpers, 7 pairs of boys pants, 31 knitted hats, 1 sweater, 1 nightgown, 6 ditty bags and also underwear and socks.

Thank you all again,

Eva Winter, Community Service Chair. 

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(picture from the internet)

The night after the twin light towers were turned on, 3-11-2002,  I flew out of Newark Airport, NJ, to Frankfurt, Germany and saw this chilling, awesome sight. Eva Winter

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A Tribute to September 11, 2001

On the first anniversary of  the September 11 tragedy, Jo-Ann Stores partnered with the American Sewing Guild to remember the victims and heroes of September 11, 2001.

“The American Spirit” quilt was designed by Jo-Ann Stores’ Team Member Cindy Casciato and is embellished with the immortal words of President Bush. 

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"We will not falter. We will not fear. We will not fail. We will not forget." 

Our Chapter made seven quilts and presented them to various Fire Department in our County.

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2001 and 2002

Our Chapter had 2 special projects to help raise funds for "Sew for the Cure of Cancer" We purchased two American Dolls, Felicity and Samantha. Members and friends made clothes and accessories for these doll and these endeavors netted $ 1,800.00 for cancer. We are very proud and thank everybody who participated .

(Click on any thumb nail picture below to see it full size. To view another picture, click your back - left - arrow and then click on another picture)