Amost project linus... another GAD program

[SandrA9810]

www.conkerrcancer.org makes pillowcases for cancer kids. It's another do at home project, but does require sewing.

I was looking for something fun to do. And surprisingly a lot of the first few pages were no longer accepting volunteers.

I know it's based out of florida, but they say they have 150 world wide locations. So it might be available in other areas, and shipping is an option too.

 

[LisaNJ25]

Do you happed to have a zipcode that will pull it up on the give a day site?

 

[frostymom]

I can do this one! So excited!

 

[figment52]

Do you happed to have a zipcode that will pull it up on the give a day site?

I found it at zip code 33809. If you use CHildren and Youth it pops up first for me.

I have been sewing for the MI chapter of this organization for the last couple years. I warn you, it can be very addicting, they are so cool. The pillowcases are very easy to make. I can turn out about 3 an hour (once the fabric is cut). It is all straight seams.

 

[SandrA9810]

it's based in lakeland, so using the 34741 zipcode (and distance for search), it's about on the 4th or 5th page.

Opportunity: Pillowcases for Smiles
Organization Served: ConKerr Cancer, A Case for Smiles
Verifying Organization: ConKerr Cancer - Tampa Bay Chapter
Interest: Children & Youth
Location: Lakeland, FL 33809
Distance: 34.1 miles
Minimum age: 6
Date: Scheduling to be arranged

 

[PatMcDuck]

My daughter LOVED the pillowcases made by volunteers that were distributed at the hospital...... Sometimes they let her choose the pattern, like little frogs, or shamrocks. (her favorite color is green).

I wish I had a sewing machine and the skill to use it, so I could make these too.

 

[SandrA9810]

I don't have a sewing machine, but I have good hand sewing skills. I hand sewed our halloween costumes.

I also got a coupon in the mail for 40% off at JoAnns, and there's always good choices of fabric in the pre-cut bin. So I'll stop by there next week to see what I can pick up.

 

[LisaNJ25]

Thank you..
I am all signed up. We need to make 15 pillow cases. I have a 40% off printable coupon for joanns so I am going to try there today.

 

[figment52]

My daughter LOVED the pillowcases made by volunteers that were distributed at the hospital...... Sometimes they let her choose the pattern, like little frogs, or shamrocks. (her favorite color is green).

I wish I had a sewing machine and the skill to use it, so I could make these too.

You do not need to be able to sew to help. Conkerr Cancer needs volunteers to iron fabric and pillowcases, cut fabric and package the finished pillowcases. And since the pillowcases are straight seams you could learn to sew in no time. My regional coordinator even has extra sewing machines available for volunteers to use on sewing days.

If I can answer any questions, please feel free to contact me.

 

[kato0627]

Is NJ a participating location?? I work at a hospital on pediatrics and we distribute these to all new patients. They love the cases.
How many do we need to make per person. Please let me know

 

[dclfun]

I signed up for this last week. Each volunteer needs to make at LEAST 5 pillowcases and they encourage you to make more as you're supposed to be volunteering for the entire day. I guess this depends on how experienced you are as a seamstress as to how many you can complete in a day. Directions and measurements are provided. The seams need to be finished-either serged or a french seam, and they have a greater need for pillowcases for older/teen boys. Good quality fabric is required, so I'm looking for a nice soft, high thread count. I used to live in Lakeland and although it's a short drive I'll likely be mailing in my pillowcases too. I can't wait to get the fabric and get started!

 

[LisaNJ25]

Is NJ a participating location?? I work at a hospital on pediatrics and we distribute these to all new patients. They love the cases.
How many do we need to make per person. Please let me know

I tried a bunch of zip codes in NJ where there were locations and nothing came up. We went with the one in Florida and will mail them.

 

[SandrA9810]

Just signed up for it. Looks like a sewing machine will be in my future. I hope those kiddie machines will have the stitches they require.

Picking the fabric is going to be the most fun.

 

[dapookie09]

I worked on a pediatric cancer floor, and we LOVED Conkerr Cancer pillowcases. ConKerr Cancer would send us huge rubbermaid tubs full of them. Our cancer patients got a new pillowcase every admission, or every week if they were there for a while. We would set up the rooms before the kids arrived with a fresh pillowcase ready to go...it was great to see their faces when they saw what we had found for them that time!

There were always plenty to go around, so sometimes the tubs got shared with the general pediatrics floors as well. I've seen those pillow cases bring a smile to some very sick kids and some very stressed-out parents.

A couple of tips:

Please choose really fun kid type fabrics. We always got a lot of pillowcases with countryish/grownup lady type prints...like you might make curtains to match your kitchen...and they always ended up staying in the bottoms of those bins

Licensed characters (Disney, Cars, Starwars) or fun prints (Tie Dye Print, Neon, etc) were always the biggest hits

Don't forget about the boys! We always had way more choices for the girls than the boys, but sports teams, Camo, Racecars, etc were great!

Flannel is great! Lots of fun prints, and very cozy on tender heads that may or may not have hair...

(Also, sometimes the pillowcases come packaged with cards with the name of the person/group who made them.. please don't put religious messages on the cards, hospitals serve families of many different lifestyles/religions/viewpoints, and it's just awkward to put the families in a spot where they're thankful for the gift, but feel alienated by the message it came with)

When washing your pillowcases, I'd recommend using a "Free" detergent or a baby detergent...something without fragrances or dyes!
Thanks in advance to all who participate! )

 

[phins_jazy]

We don't have anything here locally. Can you sign up under the florida zip code? Do you still qualify for the give a day tickets? My girls and I love to make pillowcases and this would be great if we could sign up with the florida one.

 

[donac]

My girlfriend got involved with and has gotten me hooked. They are so easy to make

One of the quilting magazines has challenged quilters to make over a million pillowcases this year. My quilt shop has pledged 1000. My girlfriend had her first day last month. Between what came in before the day and what we sewed that Saturday we made over 283. SInce then more have been dropped off and last week the shop's website total was 383.

Here is picture of final day total.

Good luck

 

[LisaNJ25]

We don't have anything here locally. Can you sign up under the florida zip code? Do you still qualify for the give a day tickets? My girls and I love to make pillowcases and this would be great if we could sign up with the florida one.

You sure can

 

[noodle7729]

Can anyone tell me where they got a pattern for the pillowcases? Also, do you have any pictures to share of the ones that you've made?

This sounds like something that I can do it my spare time and still make a difference.

Thanks,

Jamie

 

[magicmommy]

I just signed up. Have not heard back yet but looking forward to it!

 

[Bowen9475]

How/where do you sign up to have the pillowcases be eligible for GAD?
Thanks!