Keeping the Children of Guatemala Warm

The most recent mission that is highlighted on the Rotaplast blog is in Guatemala. I found this tribute to the quilts and blankets (and their makers) and thought you'd enjoy reading it and seeing a few quilty pictures. - Carol E.

The Quilts and Blankets
by Scott Wheelwright - Saratoga Rotary Rotaplast Chair 2010

You may notice in some of the pictures the beautiful quilts and blankets that enfold the children. As each child is brought to the operating room, she is accompanied by one of these handmade gifts. The operating rooms are air conditioned to provide comfort for the doctors and patients, but to keep the children warm during the operation, each is covered with a blanket or quilt. The child keeps this covering as a gift when he or she leaves the hospital.

The Rotary Club of Saratoga was blessed with gifts of over 300 quilts or blankets. Many of these quilts are pieced together and sewn by hand. Some blankets are hand knit or crocheted. The effort and skill present in each is readily apparent. We are grateful to the many people who contributed their time and money to supply materials, make quilts or sponsor quilts. Contributors include local quilting organizations, church groups, family and friends of rotary club members, and others with an interest in serving these children. We are grateful for the selfless contribution of those who have provided a warm gift for each child.







I also love the beautiful blouses and skirts worn by the women, don't you??

Wrap A Smile quilt totals

We received an update on total quilts received for the Wrap A Smile project that we support. These quilts do not only come from Sunshine quilters but also from many others across the country. As a group of quilters we are lucky to be able to contribute what we do to this wonderful project. If you are interested in helping with these quilts just join the sunshine yahoo group and help us keep kids warm one quilt at a time. 

From Terry, founder of Wrap A Smile:

In 2009, Wrap-A-Smile received 2,169 quilts.
Total that I am aware of since the start of Wrap-A-Smile is 14,593.
Quilters spent $2,690.81 for shipping their quilts to myself and Gail in CA.
This shipping cost does not reflect UPS charges or Federal Express.
Who ever would have believed this project would be what it is today...........

Philippines

Rotaplast has been in Philippines this week. Pictures haven't shown many quilts. It doesn't ever get very chilly there, and I think quilts will be used mostly to lie upon rather than lie under. I'm sure they are just as appreciated. Let's keep sewing!

Do You Recognize a Sunny Quilt?

The picture above is a child in China.

The rest of these pictures are from India.

Rotaplast in India

There is a Rotaplast mission happening in India right now. You can read about it here. There are many people awaiting surgery, most with cleft lip and palate issues, but a few people have burns that need repair.

I am seeing from the Rotaplast blog and pictures that there is a vast age range in the Rotaplast patients. We should remember to provide quilts for older folks as well as the little kids.

--carol e.

Quilts for Africa!

We heard that most of our recent Wrap a Smile quilts went to Ethiopia. It is so fun to hear where the quilts are headed! And such a rare treat if we ever see pictures of kids in our quilts... I have had that distinct pleasure a few times over the years, and it feels wonderful.

Here are more quilts that have been made for our Sunshine projects. No matter where they go, we send them off with a bit of love, and we hope that the quilt brings joy and healing to its recipient.

Quilt Production at Full Speed

From what many Sunshine members are reporting, lots of quilts are being churned out for the kids. We love to see the pictures and hear the stories... the Block Lotto is a huge success, too. Thanks to all who contribute blocks and to Tammy who works miracles with the blocks and turns out gorgeous quilts. Sorry I don't have access to her pictures right now... so I'll just post a couple examples of quilt tops I have made this year for Wrap a Smile.

Our current challenge is to make some "boy-friendly" quilts. Try to choose colors and patterns that will appeal to boys, and avoid the florals and pinks if you can... knowing not all cultures have strict rules for appropriateness of quilt colors for boys and for girls, we still want to remember to make a nice variety that will appeal to all types of kids.

This next Sunday, July 12, is Second Sunday Sewing for Sunshine! If you can, try to set aside some sewing time on the 2nd Sunday of each month, to help make quilts for kids. It's fun to know we are all working together on the same day, helping keep the kids warm worldwide.

--Carol E.