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"You can't take
away the darkness...But you can add to the light!"
Pat Sears
Some children in
foster care are fortunate to be placed with families who
are able to provide generously at Christmas time. But
many years ago, it was apparent that other children were
left out during the holidays, especially those who had
just been placed in protective custody, and those who
were in shelter care. Also in need were those moving
from one family to another, or those who were moving
back home around Christmas. The Omaha Quilters’ Guild
became aware of the need and in 1992, created the
Children’s Emergency Fund. The project originally
focused on sewing Christmas stockings but has since
grown into a multi-faced, annual event. There are four
ways for members to participate in the project.
At our September meeting, members line up to get their
stocking challenge fabric so they can enter their
creation in the Viewers’ Choice Challenge. This takes
place at our December Potluck Dinner. All the entries
are displayed, and members vote on the stockings by
monetary donation. A small prize is given for the 24
stockings that raise the most money. All the stockings
and the monies raised are donated to Child Protective
Services (CPS)
An empty stocking isn’t much fun, so we decided to ask
the members for donations of stocking stuffers. This
part of the project is referred to as the Angel Bag
Project. Members pick up a bag at the November meeting,
which is labeled with the age and sex of the child. Then
they put new, unwrapped gifts in the bag and return it
to the December meeting. All angel bags are delivered to
Child Protection the following day, for distribution by
the CPS caseworkers. That’s when we set up a “Stocking
Store” at CPS to assist the caseworkers in selecting
stockings and suffers, which they will then deliver to
children who are in foster care, shelters, or hospitals.
We also have a mini-raffle, whereby members make and
donate items to be raffled. Tickets are sold at the
November and December meetings, with over 150 items to
be had! We also have a project created specifically for
members to work together. This part of the fund-raiser
is called the Caring Friends Auction. Each year there is
a theme, and quilters may make any item they believe
reflects the theme. The only rule is that the item be
made by more than one person. The items are then
auctioned during the December meeting and proceeds
benefit CPS.
The December meeting is one of the highlights of the
year as members enjoy good food, good friends and a
feeling of well-being. It’s a great reward to use our
talents and enthusiasm for such a meaningful cause. We
each are reminded that working together, we can do so
much to bring light into the life of a child.
For more information concerning this annual project
contact Pat Sears at
cef@omahaquiltersguild.org
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If you would like to contribute to this
worthy cause but are unable to attend our Holiday gathering, please send a
check payable to the Omaha Quilters' Guild
with a notation of "CEF" to
Omaha Quilters' Guild
P.O. Box 24614, Omaha, NE 68124
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