OT- But we need help!!

[nicurnc]

I'm a nurse, I work with preemies and sick neonates. Every year we hold a reunion for all our "grads". It's great to see how these kids have grown after they leave us

Our dilemna- this year we're doing a western theme and would like to use stick/hobby horses for the bigger kids (we always give out a theme type gift). We can't find a supplier to buy them (needs to be reasonable-tight budget and we need approx. 300) We're also not opposed to making them, but we're having a hard time even locating a pattern. We'd use one that requires cutting out wood or sewing a head to mount on a dowel.

DISers are great...such a fountain of helpful info Can anyone help out with the name of a source, or supplier or even a pattern. Any help will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Loretta

 

[shmoogrrrl]

This is off-topic for your off-topic, but I have a question that you may be able to answer!

Our wee one was 5 weeks early and spent her first two weeks in a NICU. She will be one in June, and we'd like to donate something to the NICU for her birthday. Realizing that all Hospitals are different, do you all get many donations, and if so, what kind of stuff? We were thinking about a Rocking Chair because they didn't have too many when we were there. We wil, of course check with the NICU to see what they need, but I saw your message and thought you might have some ideas!

As far as the horses go, I am not sure what they are so I don't know where to find them!

Kathy

 

[rae519]

No pattern idea here but have to add to the Preemie list -

9/8/1980 - my son Christopher was born at 28 week gestation, 2 lbs 13 ounces - just needed an oxygen hood for a few days and has been growing since! With the exception of his choice as fiancee, I think he's been pretty normal!!

Rae

 

[Samsma]

Rae- you're bad! LOL Hope she doesn't DIS.

 

[my3kids]

I had 2 preemies myself, but I actually have some stick horse information also!

The Virginia Horse Center has stick horse races every year for children. I don't know any of the particulars....if the kids bring their own, if they are provided, but here is the Horse Center's number: 540-463-2194. If anyone will know, it will be them!

 

[wovenwonder]

You might want to try the community board. I have a feeling you might get lots more ideas there -- good luck!

 

[nicurnc]

Wow!- Thanks for the replies so far.

My heart goes out to the families of so many preemies I'm glad to see them all doing well.

Shmoogrrrl- I think the idea of a rocking chair would be a welcome one in any NICU. We are always short and all we do have we owe to the kindness of parents.
The favorite ones we have right now are two glider rockers. They are big and very sturdy. Cushions that match our unit were donated by another family.
Stay away from wicker- we had a gorgeous white wicker rocker donated that didn't hold up well to the constant use in our unit (pretty good sized-43 beds that say full most of the time )
Think about adding a small placque somewhere on your gift and you'll have the gratitude of the staff and parents for a long time to come

For anyone who doesn't know what a stick horse is- a horse head attached to a broom stick. You throw a leg over and gallop around. Those of us who can remember Romper Room remember them.
If you ever had dinner at the family restaurant in the Wilderness Lodge you might have seen the races with them around the dining room-the kids have a ball

my3kids- thanks for the number- I will try them and see if they can help.

Loretta

 

[tstobb]

Not as realistic but you can print and cut out a left & right side of a horse head on card-stock & attach it to a yardstick. Stores like Home Depot or Lowes may even donate the yardsticks if you speak directly to the manager.

 

[Cruise]

I know one of the major pattern companies (Simplicity, McCall's, etc.) has a pattern for a stick horse head that you stuff and put on a dowel. I bought it a couple of years ago to make for my nephew. Don't ask me how difficult it was tho, cause i never got around to making it....

Julie

 

[kpgclark]

Try the Oriental Trading Company. They are on-line too.

 

[rae519]

samsma -

I'm a baaaddddd girl! ; )

Rae

 

[vicnmickey]

Here is a site that has them for 7.99 each they come in black, tan, and brown:
http://shop.popcornmonsters.com/toys.php/AsinSearch/0/browse/901870/Mode/0/name/Stick Horses/page/1


Good luck with your search. As a nurse myself, I know how great it is to see sick children get better and grow into healthy young kids. You are a great person for what you do. From one nurse to another, my hat goes off to you:>

 

[vicnmickey]

After putting the site up, I added 7.99 x 300. 2400, thats alot of money for stick horses. Well maybe you could contact them and tell what they are for. Maybe they could make you a deal.

Good luck in your search!

 

[nicurnc]

Thanks vicnmickey-
I sent them an email, maybe they can help. $2400 does kind of blow our budget

kpgclark-
tried Oriental Trading Co.-they don't have any, but thanx.

tstobb-
We actually did think of the yardstick idea, but a sample broke way too quick

Cruise-
I thought I'd remembered the major pattern companies as having a pattern, but looks like they've discontinued.

Again, many thanks to all for the great suggestions. We keep telling ourselves, we're nurses, we CAN do this!

Loretta

 

[Dustin & Shelby's Mom]

I found this website where they have a pattern for sale. It shows the pattern as being of beginner level and I think you can make all the designs shown, i.e. zebra, horse, unicorn, etc. I hope this is of some help. To find it I went to search and typed in hobby horse pattern. Several other sites came up if this one will not work. HTH

Dottie

http://www.aardvarktozebra.com/hobbyhorse_hobbyunicorn.html

 

[my3kids]

If you find a pattern and decide to go in that direction....I bet a few calls to area churches or retirement communities might yield a wealth of people who would love to sew horse heads for healthy kids! Maybe a home ec class from the local high school...

We will help you get stick horses, we will help you get stick horses!!!!

 

[nicurnc]

Dustin & Shelby's Mom-
Thanks for the link. I've contacted them as to the finished size (12"). Another site had a cute pattern, but it was to make a hobby horse for a doll.

Loretta

 

[buzz&woody'smom]

I had a ruptured splenic aneurysm at 36 weeks and my 20 month DS spent over a month in the NICU and I spent the same in ICU both of us on ventilators. Good news is we were the 14th women AND baby to have survived this type of aneurysm. My DS is right on track with his development which we have montiored since his Agpar was less than 4. I have lasting damage but am alive. I can not tell you how many times I lie awake at night and thank the NICU nurses for holding him and feeding him during the months I could not and encouraging my DH to name him and keep him sane when he was bouncing between the ICU and NICU.

Thank you for the sometimes heart wrenching but wonderful jobs you all do!!!

 

[KathyTX]

Loretta,

Have you thought of contacting Toy"R"Us? They are very supportive of children's health and welfare issues.

Here's a link to their website, where they describe several of their philanthropic initiatives:

http://www6.toysrus.com/about/corpPhilanthropy.cfm

And those cute $7.99 stick horses you found on the net? They are from Toys"R"Us.

Here's their mailing address:

The Toys"R"Us Children's Fund, Inc.
461 From Road
Paramus, NJ 07652

I hope some of the wonderful ideas you've gotten here (on the Cruise Board, of all places!) help. What a great group of folks!

 

[nicurnc]

KathyTX-

Thanks for the tip on corporate philanthropy from ToysRUs. I will be sending them a letter.
And I'm not surprised about the response to my cry for help...DISers are a thoughtful, helpful and knowlegable bunch of people

Loretta