Monday, May 28, 2012

Looking for KIDS QUILTS!


 It's that time of year again--time to go on a prison visit--yeah!!  This summer my mom and I will travel to Cooper Street Correctional Facility in Jackson, Michigan on July 27 and 28.  
On Saturday July 28th, about 50 boys and girls will be spending a precious day with their dad.
Margaret's Hope Chest has the pleasure of providing the dads an opportunity to give their child the gift of a quilt.  
But we need help (as always!).
We need more quilts!
Currently we have about 10 boy quilts and
15 girl quilts.  We like to bring between 60-70 quilts so that there is a selection (we never know the exact ages of the children that will attend but the range is from 4-17).

Can you help?  
Do you have a boy or girl themed quilt just waiting around for a good home?
Do you have some time to finish off a quilt top 
or start a new quilt?
Here is what I hope to be an encouragement for those who aren't sure if they have the time or energy to make a quilt for this program.

A couple of weeks ago, my mom shared the story of Margaret's Hope Chest with a group of quilters at an area church.  I wasn't there but I heard that she did an awesome job :).
During the question and answer period after her talk a woman raised her hand and said something like this:
" I have a real problem with your program and how it makes these dads look like heroes to their kids."
Well, as you can imagine I was a bit bothered by this comment and I couldn't stop thinking it. Finally, last week while I was making a special gift for my own daughter I realized why it bothered me so much.

This is the pillow I made my daughter for her 11th birthday last week-it says: 
"I am the best ME there is"
Look at that beaming face-she loved it! And guess what?
My mom made me a pillow for my 8th birthday with those exact same words on it and I loved it. I read those words over and over as a child. That pillow decorated my bed, it absorbed my tears after a bad day, it reminded me of my mom's love. It was an encouragement and a comfort. I still have it and it is one of my most treasured possessions.


Why are we giving these dads an opportunity to give quilts to their kids? The purpose of these quilts is not to make the dad, or Margaret's Hope Chest or anyone else look like a hero.  The purpose of the quilts that we make for this program is to show each of these children that they are the BEST ME THERE IS.  That they are SPECIAL and LOVED by their father.  

Margaret's Hope Chest also believes that each child is loved by their heavenly Father and He is the one who has given us this program and these families to serve.

And so, I know that there are 40 or more quilts out there that God will lead people to send because...

"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit--fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name." John 15:16

Please help us show a child that he or she is special and loved.

We are looking for:
- kid themed quilts boys and girls but we always need more BOY quilts
-approx. 40 inches by 60 inches
-can be quilted or tied
-Deadline is July 25th
You can mail quilts to:
Margaret's Hope Chest
630 Griswold SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49507
If you have any questions feel free to e-mail me!
 
Here is a boy themed quilt I made a few weeks ago.  You can never go wrong with sports and race cars!









13 comments:

  1. We'll be in Michigan in June and will drop off 12 quilts for you. They're not quite as themed as yours, mostly made from scraps but definitely boy or girl colors. Hopefully you can find a good home for all of them.

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  2. I can make a few quilt tops but I can't quilt, I don't know how and don't have time to learn between now and then. Is there someone out there who can quilt two tops if I mail them with some fabric for the backing?

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  3. Interesting comment to hear at church. Oh well, some people don't understand about struggles and how people in trouble, with addictions or in prison need compassion. I started out doing this to help kids feel better with the attitude that after all it's not their fault they have a parent in prison. But I've come to realize that if it brings the parent some comfort, pride and respect then I'm accomplishing something really worthwhile from the quilts I've made for you all.
    I'm going to try to make at least one.

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  4. Hey Kelleigh, I looked at your blog and saw you are in NC, me too! I can quilt a top for you, if you want to join in. It won't be anything too fancy, if that's okay. You can get me email from my profile. Let me know!

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  5. Wow...that was a powerful post. Brought tears to my eyes. Hurray for you to bring that gal's barbed remark full circle to the meaning behind the quilts---IT'S FOR THE KIDS! YAY! Love you & your message; I will work on at least 2 quilts for your next trip.

    Oh Kelleigh, I will quilt a top for you too if you can mail it to Iowa. How can I reach you?

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  6. Hi Carin, Like some of the other commenters, I have tears in my eyes after reading this post. The comment your mom was confronted with made me think about grace. True grace. And how hard it is to come by sometimes. I am heartened that MHC is in the service of demonstrating grace to kids, to parents, to any who needs it. It isn't earned, after all. Christene

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  7. Started a castle/dragon themed quilt Sunday evening for your visit. Blogged about it today at makesharegive.blogspot.com.
    Thanks for the opportunity to help.

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  8. What a fantastic cause....you girls are so special in what you do. I have shared your link with a few of my online groups in hope that it could aid this wonderful cause. Good luck...hugs Khris

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  9. I also posted about your blog on my blog...you girls are an inspiration.
    Hugs Khris

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  10. I have a few tops, ready to be quilted, but don't have the $ for supplies to finish them, (or the ability, honestly...) Is there a way I can send the tops to MHC or another reader to have them finished by someone else?

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  11. Hello, I just read this post and it is very powerful. I thought that your response is right on. Love the attitude at MHC!

    I may not have time to complete a full quilt right now, but I am waiting for your next July/August block instructions. I know I will able to make another stack of blocks.

    Peace & Blessings :)

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