RSVP

One of the major obstacles that I have come across while going through Mom's things is what to do with everything! People really don't understand just how much sewing, craft and painting stuff she had! I wish the room was more organized... I would take a photo of it all. Right now we have gone through a lot and things are moved all about so it's a jumble of stuff!

For a couple of months I have been looking online and asking friends for any ideas regarding the possibility of donating Mom's fabric - about 15 large boxes! I thought of selling the fabric but didn't really know how to go about that. I finally made the decision that I wanted to donate it to someone who will use it for the greater good. I wanted the fabric to be used to make things that will benefit someone.

I searched nursing homes and other places looking for an outreach program and finally found the Cobblestone Quilters. The guild has a group that makes quilts that are donated to the needy and I thought that was a great idea. I sent an email to the group and was told that the outreach coordinator would contact me ASAP. The President of the group said they were very interested. After not hearing from them for a while I sent another email and received no response. Months passed and I was still looking around for someone who would put this fabric to use.

A couple of weeks ago I came up with the idea to email Joan Perry who writes my favorite blog: Charleston Daily Photo. I knew that Joan worked at one of the local hospitals as the volunteer coordinator so I thought that she MUST know someone who would be appreciative of the donation. I emailed Joan and received a response later in the day. I knew she would come through!! She gave me the number of a woman named Pam who works at the American Red Cross in North Charleston. Pam runs RSVP, which is the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program for the Red Cross. I sent Pam and email and we chatted back and forth. Pam told me that she would LOVE the fabric and could really put it to good use! In one of her emails she told me this:

I can promise that your mom’s things will help in two ways.

1. The items that are made are requested by agencies to help others...wheelchair and walker bags, comfort dolls, lap robes, baby blankets & hats, tote bags filled with personal care items.

2. The volunteers that make the items are usually either very elderly or have health problems. They have the skills and time and cannot help others by going out into agencies… this is their way of doing for others. They feel great, as they should. I actually had a volunteer tell me the other day that if it wasn’t for her sewing she would have “slit her throat” a long time ago. Guess that tells you something! Your mom will be smiling down on you I am sure.

I felt so relieved!

Tonight I packed up my Jeep for tomorrow's drop-off at 2:30. Oddly enough, The Red Cross office is in the same building as my office so I don't have to travel too far!!

Packed and ready to go!

I really think that Mom would have been happy with the decision I made to donate the fabric. I know the people who receive the finished product made from the fabric won't know Mom and probably won't even stop to think about where the fabric came from. I hope with all my heart that the items are made with as much love and care that my Mom had when making things and are eventually cherished by the people who receive the gift.

Thanks so much Joan for leading me to Pam and the RSVP program at the Red Cross!