A Quarterly Publication for Care Wear Volunteers, Inc.

DECEMBER 2006

CARE WEAR VOLUNTEERS, INC. Bonnie Hagerman c/o Hood College

401 Rosemont Avenue Frederick, Maryland 21701-8575

301-696-3550 Hagerman@hood.edu

http://www.carewear.org

Greetings to all from Care Wear Volunteers! The date is October 14 and I am starting work on this newsletter. My target date for submitting this newsletter to Printing Plus (Frederick, MD) is November 1st. My contact at this local commer-cial print shop is Phil and he hopes to have the newsletter ready by November 10 for Dick & Dee Dee at Create-A-Database. On this schedule, the December newsletter should be mailed by Thanksgiving. All of this work and scheduling is underway—even though the September newsletter has not yet been mailed! It’s a long story, but here is a summary. The Hood Print Shop has struggled to com-plete this HUGE print job (1750 copies). At $750 (as opposed to $1400 at a commercial print shop), I have tried to submit my master copy earlier and earlier so that the newsletter could be finished “on schedule.” I turned in the master copy of the September newsletter on Monday, July 24! The sum-mer months brought LOTS of print work to the Hood Print Shop and that office was not able to recruit any student workers when the academic year began. Two staff members labored to keep up with regular Hood print jobs in late July and throughout August. The opening of the new academic year brought a flood of course outlines and teaching materials to be copied. The printing of the Septem-ber newsletter was completed on Tuesday, October 10th and the newsletter moved on to Create-A-Database for labels & sorting for bulk-rate mailing. As announced in the September newsletter, that I hoped would be mailed by Labor Day, was the information about my “summer” vacation. Because of a very busy schedule for freshman orientation sessions throughout the summer, I was not able to take an extended vacation in the summer. That’s not a problem for me because I really prefer to travel in fall when it’s considerably less crowded at airports and tourist sites. I left on September 17th and returned late on October 6th. Being away three weeks meant that we returned home to a HUGE pile of mail and had to deal with a HUGE pile of laundry. I spent that weekend doing laundry, restocking my refrig with perishables, comforting my lonely cats, paying bills, and catching up with sleep after the six hour time change. I had the same scenario in the office when I returned on Monday, October 9th. Of course, there were many messages to inquire about the late September newsletter! Many of those messages did not contain a telephone number so I could not call back to explain the delay. It took me until the end of the work-day on Tuesday to open , read, and deal with the e-mail messages that had come in. Again, a good number of those messages were inquiries about the September newsletter. I tried to respond to all inquiries, but I don’t have phone numbers in the newsletter mailing list database. Anyway, it took me the entire week to write receipts for donations, return telephone calls, answer other inquiries, and catch up with my work for Hood College! I am writing this on Saturday, October 14 and I am almost caught up. My sincere apologies if you did not receive a reply to your inquiry. Now, to share some highlights of my vacation. For several years, I have suggested a trip to Slo-venia to my husband and colleague/friend. We have enjoyed our travels in the Swiss Alps, the French Alps, the Italian Alps, etc… and I thought that we would enjoy the Slovenian Julian Alps re-gion too. Finally, my husband and my friend Bonnie heard good things about Slovenia from other sources, including Good Morning American and a number of magazine articles. My husband had

heard marvelous things about the coastline of Croatia. So we planned a trip that included the mountains of northern Slovenia (near the Austrian and Italian borders) and the entire Adriatic coastline of Croatia—down to Dubrovnik. We rented apartments where possible and we enjoyed buying our breakfast and sup-per groceries at local markets. Marvelous breads, cheeses, fruit, & vegetables—especially tomatoes & cucumbers. We shopped at outdoor markets and walked miles (usually up or down hills or up or down long flights of steps!!!) through Roman ruins, ancient streets, & breath-taking cathedrals. My husband enjoyed demonstrating his rowing skills (rowing team from the University of Washington—many years ago!!!!) when we rented a row boat to row out to the island in the middle of Lake Bled where there is a church positioned at the top of the island’s steep hilltop. The coastline was rugged and beautiful and the water was a clear vivid turquoise color. All in all we had a great trip and even managed a one-day excur-sion from Slovenia to Venice. We had not visited Venice and enjoyed that brief glimpse. We have a large collection of photos to help us remember all of the beautiful sights. We enjoyed exceptionally good weather—18 days of consecutive sunshine! We did quite well navi-gating our rented car through small roads and super highways. Toll gates caused some anxiety as we had to learn which lines to use/not use!!! Did you know that 187 Slovenian Tolars equal $1 and 5.8 Croatian Kunas equal $1? Converting the price tags to dollars was a challenge!!! So, I am refreshed & rested after my holiday. I can wholeheartedly recommend all of the following: Lake Bled and the northern mountain region of Slovenia for mountain scenery Piran, Slovenia if you love small coastal towns with ancient ruins Pula, Croatia for Roman ruins, including a coliseum Brela, Croatia for relaxing in the comfort of lovely hotels and BEAUTIFUL beaches Dubrovnik, Croatia for walking around the top of its ancient city wall Ljubliana, Slovenia for a dynamic university town with lots of riverside bistros And MaxJet (business class—on sale!) for a comfortable flight to & from all of the above!

Care Wear Volunteers mourns the passing of

Ethel Schneidewent

Friends wrote that Ethel enjoyed knitting—especially the patterns from Care Wear.

Ethel will be missed by all of her friends who will continue the work she started.

A recent letter of interest: Anna B wrote that she is enjoying the newsletters and has been donating completed items to area hospi-tals. She wrote, “One real reward was a story told to me about burial gowns. This woman had lost her son prematurely. She had received a beautiful gown set to bury this little angel in. She asked her mother if it would be selfish of her to keep the gown and bury him in Kyra’s (the big sister) blanket. She said, “Mom, this is all I have to remember him by.” That gown gave her comfort she so much needed. From that point I didn’t look at making them as de-pressing but thought of the comfort it would bring to a mother and father in their time of need.” When I (Bonnie) first started sewing and knitting for Care Wear I made hats and kimonos. I wanted to make items to warm and comfort the living and I could not bring myself to make burial garments. But, I heard of the need and realized that a gown would provide a beautiful memory of a lost infant. A nurse shared that a mother described the Care Wear burial gown as the wedding dress her daughter would never wear. From that time I included burial gowns in the items that I made. Gowns provide dignity to the infant and beautiful memories for the parents and family. 2

Care Wear Volunteers received thanks from the following hospitals/agencies: Patrice Brylske (Interim Director of Child Life, Johns Hopkins Children’s Center) wrote to thank every-one who sent medical/surgical dolls for their patients. “As I am sure you understand, it is so much less frightening for children when they can use these dolls to understand and rehearse what will happen while they are in the hospital. We appreciate your thinking of our patients in such a kind way.” Staff members of the Special Care Nursery (Frederick Memorial Hospital) sent thanks for positioning rolls, booties, hats, blankets, and neck pillows. “Our littlest patients thank you for your generosity and kindness. Thank you for your support.” Sharon Welch, RN (Abington Memorial Hospital) sent thanks to Barbara Fiorentino for her loving con-tributions. “Everyone has been deeply touched because of your thoughtfulness and efforts. The blankets were beautiful and gone within an hour of receiving them. May this year bring as much happiness as your gifts will bring to our families and children.” Another letter arrived to thank Barbara for her donated blan-kets and cloth books. Molly Evenson, RNC, Georgetown University Hospital—Labor & Delivery, wrote, “Bonnie, I am a nurse at Georgetown University Hospital on Labor & Delivery. We just received a box of blankets and clothes from your group. Thank you so much! Everything is beautiful and will be put to good use. In par-ticular, a white boys’ burial gown was made by Catherine Parlato. It is simple and perfect for a boy. We get so many beautiful dresses for the girls and this is unique in that it is just perfect for a boy. It is plain white with an attached white vest with blue checks. Can I put in a request for a few more? There is a need for simple boy’s clothes. My only other request would be to maybe make that outfit a little bigger. This one measures 9./5 inches in length and 4.5 inches in width. A garment that measures 12” x 6” would fit more babies. This one won’t be around for long, though! Again, thank you so much for the time and ef-forts your group puts into these beautiful items. Your hard work and dedication makes our Bereavement Program a success.” (August 18, 2006) (mollyevenson@yahoo.com) Leslie Schwenk, Volunteer Coordinator, Shady Grove Adventist Hospital sent thanks to Care Wear Volunteers donors. She included special thanks to Melody Nierad who donated a large collection of pree-mie caps. Leslie sent her sincere appreciation for the time and effort of all who donate items. She wrote, “Our volunteers distribute donated hats, etc. to our third floor mothers and babies and they are just beauti-ful. Thank you for your help.” Diana Broussard, RNC,BSN, NICUI Educator, Holy Cross Hospital wrote, “Thank you very much for your generous donations. The gowns and blankets will be put to good use and are very much appreciated by the babies, nurses, and families. Thank you again!” Sharon Evans, LCSW, Oncology Social Worker, Frederick Memorial Hospital, Regional Cancer Ther-apy Center, wrote to thank Mary Orzech for her generous donation of handmade chemo caps to the Cancer Center’s wig closet. “Your donated caps are cheerful and thoughtful. They always bring a smile to the re-cipient! As a member of the medical oncology staff at Frederick Memorial Hospital’s Regional Cancer Therapy Center, it is gratifying to know that women such as yourself are willing to assist others in need. Your kindness and generosity is greatly appreciated. Your caps are gifts that always ensure a warm head and a warmed heart.” The Volunteer Services Department of Bon Secours St. Francis Health System thanked Alma Palmer for donating over 300 hours of time creating patient items. Since 2005 Alma has donated baby and adult hats, lap throws, and infant outfits to Bon Secours. A photo of Alma and her great granddaughter Valerie showed them delivering more items to the hospital. Her good works were recognized and continue to be appreciated. Dotty Rozelle reports that she continues to work with inmates to produce colorful shawls for residents of the area county home and to make hats for disadvantaged children. She is exploring the needs of a new hospital in her area and will take preemie items there, if needed. Dotty was sorry to see some of her ex-pert crocheters return to society. Few newcomers know how to crochet!!! But, Dotty is greeting all new arrivals in hopes of recruiting them to this marvelously helpful program. Her photos show lovely do-nated shawls, blankets, hats, and booties.

3

Many thanks to Patricia Pack for all of the children’s caps, scarves, and blankets that she has donated. She wrote, “It makes me feel good in a small way I’ve helped a child who needs it.” The Nez Perce Indian Reservation is appreciative for all of the donated items sent by the church and community members of the Albany United Methodist Church in Albany, IL. Thanks to everyone for their generosity. 131 items were recently donated—including afghans, quilts, blankets, hat & mitten sets,

For your information: Other hospitals may have similar guidelines.

Favors are distributed on the meal trays; therefore, we are limited to approximately 3.5 inches in height for standing items. Lease let me know in advance for which month or holiday you are pro-viding. Tray favors may be dropped off at the hospital Volunteer Office or Information Desk. Sandy Green, Chairman, Goodwill, Frederick Memorial Hospital Auxiliary 4

Care Wear Volunteers is now listed on GoodSearch.com, which is a new search engine that donates half its revenue, about a penny per search, to the charities its users designate. You use it just as you would any search engine, and it’s powered by Yahoo! Just go to www.goodsearch.com and be sure to enter Care Wear Volunteers as the charity you want to support. Every penny helps! Thanks for spreading the word and thanks to anyone who opts to use this search engine. 5

Kentucky residents: I would appreciate an update on the needs and address for the University of Ken-tucky Birthing Center (Lexington, Kentucky). Julie Harney, RN does not respond to e-mail messages and the address is not accepting packages. Congratulations to Louise Piechocinski (MD) for winning first prize for her entry in the Charitable Crea-tions category of the County Fair. Care Wear Volunteers is proud to provide the prize for the winner of this category at the Fair. The Weymouth Naughty Needlers received thanks and applause from the mayor of the town of Wey-mouth (MA) for endless hours of knitting hats, scarves, mittens, sweaters, holiday stockings, lap robes, slip-pers, afghans, socks, snugglers, quilts, ponchos, etc. for a variety of hospitals and area social service agen-cies. I join the mayor in sending thanks to all who participate. I know that South Shore Hospital, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, and Boston Medical Center send thanks, too. The group has 53 members—with approximately 35 who attend the meetings on a regular basis. Evelyn Fowler keeps me posted on this group’s accomplishments. See their donated blanket and hat in the photo below:

Tips!

1. Here is a tip I received regarding fringe on blankets. “When I make a baby blanket & put fringe on it, I put it on one end. That way, the fringe does not end up in the little one’s mouth.”

2. Here’s a tip for those who enjoy working with complicated patterns. HIGHLIGHTERS are great to highlight those complicated pattern rows. The bright highlighting prevents you from getting lost. I make them a necessity in my knitting bag.

Wishing everyone a healthy and happy holiday season. I send best wishes to all who participate in Care Wear Volunteers. Thank you for all of the information and for the patterns that you send to me to include in the newsletter. Sincere thanks to regional representatives who help to update the hospital list and to oth-ers who provide updates, revisions, additions, etc. The next newsletter will be March 2007. HAPPY NEW YEAR! Bonnie 6

1800 $2000 to

Annual Fund-Raising Appeal—December 2006

7

no

the

8

CHECK PATTERN MEASUREMENTS BEFORE CUTTING

9

10

11

Many thanks to Sara for sharing her time, talents, and concern for others. I know that we all appreciate having pattern choices for a variety of projects. THANKS to Sara! 12

In case of questions about any of Sara’s patterns, please contact her: phone: 720-366-2894 Or by mail: 504 Toledo Street, Aurora, Colorado 80011 Or by e-mail: carewearshandmadewithlove@yahoo.com 13

Hospital Update: Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Child Life & Education—Room 8540 34th St & Civic Center Blvd Philadelphia, PA 19104-4399 215-590-2001 Needs: preemie hats, booties, kimonos, & blankets. Also, burial garments & pouches. Contact person is now Heather Waters—215-590-7624.

Make A Difference Day 2006 In spite of the delay in announcing this event (very late September newsletter) Make A Difference Day on October 28th was a great success. Care Wear Volunteers provided yarn, pattern books, & breakfast pastries for all who came to help. From 10am to 3pm the large meeting room hummed with cheerful conversation and busy knitting needles, crochet hooks, and sewing needles. Special thanks to the Board of Unity Church of Fre-derick for the use of their building for this day of community service. Sincere thanks to Maxine French and the friends she recruited to sort, count, and package the completed items as well as help with set up & clean up. They were BUSY—counting a total of 727 layette items (hats, booties, blankets, afghans, burial sets, toys, neck pillows, rompers, etc.). THANK YOU to all who attended and all who brought or sent completed items to add to our collection. Everything will be delivered to Frederick Memorial Hospital and Johns Hopkins Children’s Center. The burial garments will be mailed to Georgetown University Hospital. Sincere thanks for donations or discounts provided by: LeisureArts, Inc. (for donated yarn) Market Bagel & Deli of Frederick. (for discounted pastry trays) Uncle Ralph’s Cookies of Frederick (for donated cookies) Many thanks to the individuals and businesses that provided gifts & door prizes: Keep Me In Stitches! (Frederick) Eleganza Yarns (Frederick) Danny Geisinger Don & Ericka Wheeler Alexandra Tyro-Hapho My apologies if I have omitted anyone. Thanks to everyone for caring!

14

Reviews of the new book Knitting for Peace, by Betty Christiansen (published by Stewart, Tabori & Chang) include examples of the groups that use knitted goods for the greater good. Care Wear Volunteers is proud to be included.

If you would like to cut, sew, clip, and turn fabric toys, such as bunnies and bears and send them to others to be stuffed with fiberfill, please con-sider sending them to: Mary Kay Huber-Leslie, Apartment #314 7401 Willow Road, Frederick, MD 21702. The Craft Group sends thanks for all that has been sent and they welcome regular deliveries. Everything you send will be finished & donated.

WISHING EVERYONE A HEALTHY AND HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON & A VERY GOOD NEW YEAR!

Frederick Memorial Hospital sent thanks to Grace Reeder for the walker bags and pillows she made and donated.

Care Wear Volunteers participants make a difference in the lives of others. What you donate to hospitals and social ser-vice agencies warms and comforts in-fants, children, and families. Thanks to everyone for all that you do. Every hat, every blanket, every toy, etc. helps a young hospital patient.

15

Baby Earflap Hat By

Kathy North

See page 16

Reprinted with permission from Kathy.

See her patterns & website:

www.designsbykn.com

Hospital Update Conemaugh Memorial Hospital Newborn Nursery 1086 Franklin Street Johnstown PA 15901 814-534-9231 Needs: Newborn full-term hats & preemie & full-term burial gowns. NEW contact person: PAM HARRIS

16

Hospital Update: Hershey Medical Center, Volunteer Services Director, 500 University Drive, PO Box 850, Hershey PA 17033-0850. Phone: 717-531-8278. Needs: hats, booties, blankets, kimonos, burial gowns, receiving blankets (non-flammable fabric). Contact per-son is Mary Jo Garrity. Main need: PREEMIE items.

With sincere thanks to Kathy for sharing her talents. Winter is coming! Earflaps will soon be needed. 17

Late arrival Hospital Updates 1. Akron Children’s Hospital New contact person: Linda Ralston, Manager of Volunteer Services. (NOT Judi Hayes or Cindy Duncan) 2. NEW HOSPITALS Florida Hospital Ormond/Oceanside Attn: Auxiliary Coordinator 875 Sterthaus Avenue Ormond Beach FL 32174 386-676-6010 E-mail: donna.kearns@fhms.org Needs: Baby hats, booties, sweaters & burp cloths; lap blan-kets for Hospice patients plus lap blankets & hats for adults in chemo therapy. Donna Kearns is the contact person.

Peace River Regional Medical Center Attn: Clinical Coordinator/Women’s & Children’s Services 2500 Harbor Blvd, Port Charlotte FL 33952 941-766-4415 Camille Robertson is the contact person Needs: Per month 5 preemie hats, 20 full-term, 50 booties, 20 blankets (30”x30”) and 5 micro preemie burial garments. Camille.robertsono@prrmc.hma-corp.com

18

Sincere thanks to Jenny Pope and the Milwaukee Chapter of the Smocking Arts Guild of America of Milwaukee, Wisconsin for adapting the Care Wear Volunteers Burial Gown pat-tern for smocking. What a beautiful gown they have created! 19

What a beautiful gown! The original pattern is available on the Care Wear Volunteers website: http://www.carewear.org That pattern is also included in the yellow Care Wear Volunteers Pattern & Information booklet.

20

21

22

23

24

With sincere thanks to Cathy for sharing her time and talents.

Sincere thanks to Denny Kelly for sharing her time and talents with Care Wear Volun-teers.

REMEMBER to convert needles and yarn to US equivalents

25

Laurie Adams (National City Mort-gage—Sacramento Branch) sent an up-date. Their August deliveries included 102 items (16 full-size baby blankets, 6 preemie blankets, 17 women blankets, 7 snugglers, 11 crochet burial gowns, 47 preemie hats. Boxes were sent to Sutter Medical Center, Huntington Memorial Hospital, God’s Little Angels, and Georgetown University Hospital. An-other box will be delivered to Sierra Adoption Services. BRAVO to all who participate in this community service project. You are making a difference in your community and helping children across the US. (See photo at left & below)

October 2006 Update: 3 large crochet afghans 1 small fleece blanket 13 afghans 5 sweater, hat, & bootie sets 1 hat 2 pair booties 1 pair mittens 2 bunnies (toys) 2 large afghans 2 medium afghans 6 small afghans 1 sweater, hat & bootie set 24 pumpkin hats

The Ladies of the Fanwood Presbyterian Church Women’s Association are am-bitious, creative, and caring. They donate their time and skills to this project.

Beth Israel Hospital in New-ark, New Jersey sends thanks for all that is donated.

Special thanks to Fiona Leahy for her delivery services & thanks to Project Chairman, Peggy Ficken for her updates.

In need of a holiday stocking pattern? See www.kuninfelt.com Click on project sheets—Country Christmas Stocking Also see the adorable Kunin Felt bunny! Rainbow Shaggy Plush Felt—NUTMEG

26

Hospital Update: Geisinger Children’s Hospital Center, NICU Attn: Operations Manager, North Academy Street, Danville, PA 17822. Telephone: 570-271-6550 Needs: Preemie & full-term hats & booties, blankets/quilts, small cloth animals. NEW CONTACT PERSON—Maureen Lloyd

Many thanks to Denny Kelly for sending this pattern for the Care Wear Volunteers newsletter. Reprinted with permission

27

THANKS TO ALL

WHO

DONATE ITEMS TO

GEORGETOWN

UNIVERSITY

HOSPITAL.

28

28

29

Many thanks to Joyce Lee (B

ernat/Spinrite Yarns) for permission to reprint this pattern.

See: http://ww

w.bernat.com

for additional free patterns for your projects

30

Thanks to: www.bernat.com

PHO

TO FR

OM

LAK

E BLED

, SLOV

ENIA

(SEPT. 18, 2006) B

ON

NIE H

AG

ERM

AN

(LEFT) AN

D FR

IEND

/ C

OLLEA

GU

E/CA

RE W

EAR

BO

AR

D M

EMB

ER

BO

NN

IE NEU

MA

N EN

JOY

ING

A B

OAT R

IDE

PRO

VID

ED B

Y D

ICK

HA

GER

MA

N! FU

N!!!! 31

From: Care Wear Volunteers Bonnie Hagerman c/o Hood College 401 Rosemont Avenue Frederick MD 21701-8575

Non-profit org. U.S. Postage

PAID Frederick, MD Permit No. 775