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Children's Emergency
Fund
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You can't take
away the darkness...But you can add to the light!
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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 |
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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 Click
on the tree to see some pictures of Christmas Past |
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