Aileen Waters at the machine with Polly Jones standing
Linda Shannon-Hills and Dian Gowen
Creative Giving meets twice a month in the sewing room located in the Creative Arts & Technology Center to make loving items to share with those in need. Come join the next two work sessions on Wednesday, March 1, from 9 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. and again on Tuesday, March 21, from 4 until 6 p.m. in the Creative Arts & Technology Center sewing room.
We make more than 35 different items such as blankets, bibs, and burp clothes for newborn babies, toddlers, and those in foster care, or for new single mothers or others in need, along with playtime blocks, teddy bears, rattles, and balls. We also make heart-shaped stuffed pillows for those recovering from heart surgery, mastectomy surgery, and other surgeries. We also make dog bone-shaped pillows for back support, knee support, and much more.
We have made dignity curtains to cover medical bags, adult shirt covers, dignity bags for social workers to give to families, stringed tote bags for foster teenagers, and fidget blankets for children and adults with cognitive decline.
Since we have reassessed our mission, we have done a pivot from “Mending Souls” to the name “Creative Giving SaddleBrooke Ranch.” The basic mission is the same but expands our reach as well as expands the items we can create for others in need.
We are making items for:
* SBR residents in need
* Mending Souls in Tucson
* Family First in Oracle and Winkleman
* Kid’s Closet in Mammoth through SaddleBrooke Community Outreach (such as knitted and crocheted hats, school supplies bags, and more
* Christ Child Society—stringed backpack bags for foster teenagers
We also are open to other groups in need!
Our members work together to make items during our work sessions as well as “kits” of pre-cut projects to take home to make, then bring back to donate.
The group does not have dues but to keep us going, many members of the group donate fabric and supplies while we also have donation sales of items we make to bring in funds for our work.
If you would like to be part of this creative group, giving to those in need, come join us on the first Wednesday morning of the month in the sewing room, located in the Creative Arts & Technology Center at SaddleBrooke Ranch. Come anytime between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., stay for an hour or all day. There are so many ways you can participate. For more information, contact Linda Shannon-Hills at [email protected] or Dian Gowen at [email protected].
“For it is in giving that we receive.”—St. Francis of Assisi