Quilts for Kids

My daughter comes to CHOP every three months for surgery for an airway disease. While there in March of 2008 two of the wonderful nurses, Midge and Maryann gave my daughter a beautiful handmade quilt%u2026 It was all her favorite colors and it really made her feel special. God bless all the staff at CHOP and to all the wonderful people at Quilts for Kids for brightening up what is sometimes a very gloomy day for my daughter.
Sincerely,
Cecylia and Jessann
PS. I have enclosed a picture of her at the hospital after her surgery when the nurse gave her the quilt..

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A line of 33 fabrics designed by Ami Schimler for Robert Kaufman fabrics will be launched at the Spring Quilt Market in Pittsburgh, PA. Retailers will be able to order the fabric at the show and on-line at robertkaufman.com. It will be available in stores in late summer 2009.

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Our friends at Life Images Videography have put together a brand new promotional Quilts for Kids video for our perusal. Check it out and share it with friends:

Quilts for Kids Video

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Halley Baker Henry, an RN, sent us the following letter when her daughters received quilts at CHOP while 6-year old Brynn was there for treatment for leukemia.
"I just wanted to thank you for the wonderful quilts that were given to my daughter and her sister back in December. My daughter, Brynn, went through 3 years of treatment for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, starting at age 3-1/2. For almost her entire life, most of what she knew was medicine, doctor's visits, procedures, chemotherapy, nausea and vomiting, and fear. In December 2007, she was admitted at CHOP through the outpatient day hospital to have her port removed. She was so scared because that port was so much a part of her for so long. The OR nurse that cared for Brynn that day was so sweet and so caring. She told Brynn that because it was such a big day for her, almost as big as high school graduation, she had something special for her. She came back with this big stack of quilts and let Brynn pick which one would help her get through the day. She also let Brynn pick one out for her little sister who also went through so much seeing her sister go through what she went through. From the time the nurse brought Brynn her sweet quilt with puppies all over, colored by a class of students, she smiled through the process and did so great.

"I thank you from the bottom of my heart for what your organization is doing. It is a huge help and I continue to be grateful for your caring and generosity that was indirectly shown to my daughters through your quilts."

We were recently e-mailed the following brief but poignant letter from "Karen," whose daughter received a Quilts for Kids quilt while at CHOP:
My daughter was recently in the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia for a major back surgery. When she came out of surgery and into the recovery room she was given a quilt made by "Janet." It was comforting to know that someone had hand made the quilt especially for my daughter. Her eyes immediately seemed brighter and we knew that we were in a special place. Thank you Janet for making the quilt. God Bless you and all of the quilters for your beautiful work. It is greatly appreciated."

Tens of thousands of deserving children have already received beautiful quilts to help comfort them. However, we still need your help, because there are countless more children in need of our assistance.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

1) Join us. Check our text Chapter listing or Chapters Map page to find a Quilts for Kids chapter in your area. With over 50 chapters in the US, Canada, and beyond, you should find one close by. For details on how to make a quilt on your own and send it to us, visit our How-To page. Read about Forming Your Own Chapter or e-mail us for more info on how to help, independently or by forming your own Quilts for Kids Chapter.

2) Donate (TAX DEDUCTIBLE). While much of our fabric is donated, we do still incur expenses, most notably the cost of shipping raw fabric and completed quilts across the country. Support staff are also needed. Plus, we need space to store the truckloads of donated fabric we receive. Donations are ALWAYS welcome.

Donate online with Paypal or credit card. We now have a Paypal account and can accept online donations with Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover, or your Paypal account. Click the "make a donation" button below to begin the SECURE transaction.

You can also send your check or money order to the following address:

Quilts for Kids, Inc.
c/o Linda Arye
11 Effingham Rd
Yardley, PA 19067

3) Shop and Support. Visit www.igive.com and find out how a fraction of your purchases at hundreds of participating retailers can be sent to support Quilts for Kids. Once you choose Quilts for Kids as your benefit organization, a fraction of every purchase you make will go to support our work.

3a) Support Us When You Buy and Sell on eBay. Purchase Quilts for Kids items or donate a portion of your sales to us. Details...

3b) Stylish Shop and Support. Check out the Crypton Fabrics Quilts for Kids collection of stylish and durable tote bags, diaper bags, and playmats. All proceeds benefit Quilts for Kids.

4) Fundraising Fun. From time to time, Quilts for Kids sponsors fundraisers--entertaining events, from shows to gala dinners, where most products and services are donated and the cost of your admission goes directly to help the charitable work of Quilts for Kids. One such event was Broadway Unplugged--a special performance by Broadway stars just to support our cause. Read more about it here. In May 2006, the Broadway folks did it again at Broadway's Acoustic Soul. These events are a great time for a great cause.

A growing theme of Quilts for Kids is children helping other children. From Scout groups to schools, groups of children have wholeheartedly joined in the Quilts for Kids mission to bring comfort to their peers in distress.

At left, Ashley Cowan delivers 50 wheelchair bags to Woods' Services in Langhorne, PA. Jenn Hand of Woods' Services gratefully accepts the gift. Ashley created the 50 wheelchair bags from Quilts for Kids fabric to complete her Girl Scout Silver Award Project. Woods' Services Director Cheryl Kaufman says her fondest moments are when she looks down the halls at the pediatric wards to see all the kids in wheelchairs with Quilts for Kids wheelchair bags on EACH ONE!

Great Job, Ashley!

A picture is worth a thousand words, the old saying goes. So, with that in mind, we present this very VISUAL update on some recent Quilts for Kids happenings.

On the morning of April 30th, 2007, 58 Abington (PA) High School students assisted Quilts for Kids founder Linda Arye in a quilt delivery at St Christopher's Hospital for Children in Philadelphia, PA. One young student made about 6 quilts and gifted them all.

Paws for Safety
Whether you have a dog or not, dogs are all around us. You MUST teach your children how to act safely around dogs. Visit our Lens: Teaching Children Dog Safety

Topics include:
Not all Dogs are friendly
How dogs think and learn
Dogs have instincts
Play - Dogs and Children
How should you Pet a dog
The two T's - be a TURTLE, be a TREE

We have written and designed a short wirebound book that will teach you and your children how to be safe around dogs. There are links to these books at the link above and we can personalize the cover with your own dog, or any dog breed. Just email us at greywolfcreation@yahoo.com