my pet project for 2013

Earlier this year I discovered through facebook a lovely charity called St Kilda Mums. They take baby equipment, clothes and toys and deliver them to mums in need. Some of their requests are so urgent. Women who are living in refuges, have no family, no money, none of the necessities that we mums take for granted. I wanted to help but felt so far away. I then discovered that they had a sister agency called Dandelion Support Network in Sydney. I liked the facebook page and just reading some of the stories make me get a little teary. Things that we take for granted like a place for a baby to sleep, nappies, a nursing bra or a pram.  To me they are the basics but to some people in difficult situations these are big items.

Requests will come in from agencies or social workers and often are urgent requests for a mum coming out of hospital or who is homeless or leaving a refuge. Or it could be someone doing it really tough. I sent a few Christmas gifts to them to give to children but I knew I wanted to do more. It’s been sitting at the back of mind for a few weeks and I was trying to think of a way that we could do something else. ‘We’ being me and my amazing readers. And then it occured to me………………….QUILTS!

I asked if they had someone making quilts for them and they did have a local quilting group make them up so that when they gave away a cot they gave a quilt in the bedding pack too. But they are all out and the group doesn’t make them anymore. It was a sign. I had a job. A pet project to organise.

So next year I’ll be calling on you my lovely readers and quilters to get sewing and quilting. But I’m going to be a little bit smart about it all. I don’t want the avalanche of quilt blocks on my doorstep like Quilts for Queensland. As wonderful as that experience was I’d be trotting up to the post office every few days and I can’t get my pram into the post office these days without taking out a whole card display or a person. Last week a total stranger offered to sit and mind my pram while I went in.

So I’ll only ask for things to be sent during one month (say we do it 3 or 4  times a year) and at the end of that month we’ll have a working bee here in Sydney and work like busy bees to make and finish quilts. I figure we could run 3 quilting days next year and really make a difference. Plus it’s a great way for mums to get together to help other mums. But you don’t need to be a mum to help. Obviously.

So that’s that then. I’m going to think about some specifics and measurements but just wanted to put it out there as I was so happy to hear that they needed our help. Giving is better than receiving and on this Christmas Eve I wanted you to get excited about it too. Because I’ll need all the help I can get.

Comments

  1. what a lovely idea: can the Melbourne readers join in? I don’t quilt but I might try a cot size.

  2. Catherine proctor says:

    Hi Corrie,

    I have just logged on to get your rocky road recipe to make for my neighbours when I read your post about the homeless mums. What a great idea– I would love to help but I am only a beginner quilter! I hope your family have a wonderful Christmas and new year. Your blog puts a smile on my face everyday and gives me (and I am sure many others) much joy throughout the year.

  3. Lovely idea!

  4. sounds great! I’m definitely up to being part of the quilting days

  5. This is a wonderful idea Corrie, you are a very giving person.

  6. What a awesome thing to do!! I’m not a quilter but I love to sew and would love to help!
    Merry Christmas Corrie to you and your family!

  7. What a lovely idea, looking forward to making a cot quilt or two for you!

  8. Corrie this is a fabulous idea :) You’re very thoughtful! I’m not much of a quilter – beginner actually but I’d love to learn more. I have so many baby things and clothes that I didn’t know what to do with so I’ll be heading over to the Dandelion Support Network now.

    Merry Christmas!

  9. Great idea! Count me in :)

  10. Gerda HOSKING says:

    Lovely idea Corrie, I would love to help. Merry Christmas to you and your beautiful family.

  11. Fantastic Corrie. My sister used to work with the young mums benefiting from this program on a side program to educate on parenting/early childhood x very worthwhile cause x happy holidays

  12. A lovely idea. I will donate directly to the St Kilda mums. One of my friends is a police woman in St Kilda and directly sees both some terrible and some heartwarming things.

  13. What a wonderful idea. I have a huge collection of baby clothes that I would love to give to a charity that sees the items go straight to the person in need and not to resell. Will have to look and see if they have a sister agency in Brisbane. Thanks for sharing Corrie

  14. Wonderful idea Corrie. I have donated two carseats, bedding, wraps and blankets to the St Kilda Mums as a good friend is heavily involved. It is certainly a need we don’t really think about too much. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

  15. Lee Pullen says:

    Hello Corrie, I have been following your blog for over a year and I think you are an amazing person with the biggest heart. I look at your blog every day and to me it’s like opening a Xmas present every day as you always make me smile no matter what and some days that is enough to make me realise life is worth living for. Thank you and god bless you and your beautiful family:)

  16. Wendy Yates says:

    I’m in!

  17. a wonderful idea Corrie, I’d love to be able to help but a little difficult from the bush … so I have a finished boy’s cot quilt I will get to you soon …
    Hope the festive season is wonderful for you and your family and all the best for 2013.
    Happy stitching, P

  18. Corrie, what a beautiful idea, I’m not much of a quilter, but I would love to do one. I wish you and your wonderful family a joyous Christmas, and thank you for your blog it always puts a smile on my face.

  19. Tracie Morrissey says:

    Fantastic idea count me in

  20. Wonderful idea Corrie! I have been making quilts and laundry bags for Aussie Heroes (they are on FB too!) but I have so much fabric in my stash that is not suitable for the mainly male soldiers serving overseas, so I am more happy to join you in this venture. Just a shame Perth is bit of a long way to come for a busy bee!

  21. Twinsane Mum (Jules) says:

    A great cause. The organization near me (Nth suburbs Melb) is called Northern Cherubs, who are also on Facebook. One of the Mums in our playgroup works with them. With all the toys and gifts the girls got for Xmas I’ve been thinking what to do with all their old baby stuff and this seems like the best avenue of donating as I know that they will go directly to those who need the items and not pilfered from the front of a thrift/charity store or bin.

  22. Excellent idea! I pray that I will contribute :)

  23. This is a fabulous idea. On a different note (not quilts). Have your heard about ‘Pinchapoo’. I read an article in our local paper about a lovely lady in Box Hill, Victoria who organises collection of all those little bottles of shampoo etc. that lucky holidayers collect from hotel stays, and distributes them to women in need. I’ve started telling family and friends not to throw them out. I’m sure there would be similar collections happening in other States.

    • kate austin says:

      Hi Lindy!! Im the founder and director of Pinchapoo! Was thrilled to see your comment and love having your support!! Keep us the great work!!!

  24. Great idea corrie. Would love to join in.

  25. This is a wonderful idea, I will definitely help with a quilt or three through the year.

  26. Hi Corrie,

    I saw a beautiful quilt that BadSkirt Amy made and it led me to your blog. It’s a great idea. I am passionate about helping young homeless people and Do stuff for the Salvation Army’s Oasis Youth Support Network. I would love to help you as well so will follow your blog and get on bard.
    Thanks,
    Sarah

  27. Helen Barclay says:

    HI, just fell into your site while looking for some charity that would take fabric scraps. I don’t have to look any further. These scraps actually come from a Charity shop who don’t know what to do with them. Well, I know!!! I’m putting my hand up and waving madly and will add them to mine.When do we start and are we only doing cot blankets?

  28. I have a friend who knits for charity and would like to know if the refuge would like some little jumpers or any thing that’s knittable. Said I’d ask
    thanks for your time
    Helen Barclay

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  1. […] last night. The very first quilt that we’ll donate to the Dandelion Support Network (read here if you need to catch up!). And I know that you have questions so here is what you need to know, all […]

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