LifeCenter Northwest 2015 Report

The 2015 LifeCenter Northwest Annual Report was recently posted online with their statistics, projects, updates, and news. 

https://issuu.com/lifecenternorthwest/docs/ar2015_final_mech

 On page 14, it says that they were able to give more than 200 honor quilts to donor families in 2015. This was a new high record; in 2014, they gave out 157 quilts and we provided 50 of those through our humanitarian service! 

The annual report states:

 "It is a profound and humbling experience to stand with families in the moment of their greatest grief and greatest generosity. We see the very best in humanity--strength, courage, and hope, all in the face of loss.

We're always looking to find new ways to honor and comfort these families through an extremely challenging time. Our family service staff are all professionally trained in grief counseling and bereavement support, and they're present at the hospital for nearly every donation in our large geographic region.

Sometimes families will want to play the donor's favorite music, bring their favorite toys to accompany them, or stay with the donor through the procedure. We also help with 'memory-making' activities, such as hand and footprints, and every organ donor family receives a handmade memorial quilt."

We feel so blessed to be able to be a part of the honor quilt making with this wonderful organization. What a great way to fulfill our baptismal covenant to be "willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort". (Mosiah 18:9)

How to Donate Money

There has been some confusion in the past about how to donate money to our Stake Humanitarian projects, so here's the quick info for those who were wondering!

Donating money to our stake specifically must be done with the form, not online. In the section labeled "Other (Specify)", write "Auburn Stake Sew Much Love" and the amount of money in the column to the right. If you put money in the Humanitarian Aid section, that's wonderful, but it goes to the headquarters in Salt Lake City, not for our Stake's use. 

Thanks!

Interview: Cindy Phelan

I thought it'd be fun to interview a few of the people who participate in the humanitarian events about what they do! Then you can learn more about the projects, the people, and the miracles.

This month I interviewed Cindy Phelan, a wonderful woman who has been piecing quilts for 20 years. She took an informal quilting class from a few friends, and after being released as Relief Society President, she signed up for a class at a quilting store to fill some of her free time. She took another class at another store, joined a "block a month" club being held at 3 different stores, learning more, and followed patterns in magazines and quilt books. As she had questions, she would ask those in the stores and they were willing to help.

 Cindy started using her skills with us 5 years ago when Sew Much Love was started here in Auburn. She makes traditional quilts called "Sampler" quilts with different pattered blocks to make the design simple, yet interesting. One of her favorite parts is the creativity of looking at the fabric she has to work with and figuring out a way to make something hopefully special. Cindy wrote: "I saw a special  about Pioneer quilt makers on PBS.  They read from the diary of a woman who was homesteading in Kansas or Nebraska.  I'll never forget what she said. 'I make quilts as fast as I can to keep my family warm and as beautiful as I can to keep my heart from breaking.'  That's what I hope our quilts do for the people who receive them.  I hope they keep them warm, but I hope too that they can feel the love and encouragement that we put into them and glean some comfort from that."

Her quilts are usually sent to Harborview for Pediatric Trauma patients. Some of her quilts also go to the homeless and battered women shelters, and some quilts are kept on hand for when there's a need in the church or in the community. Cindy said that one year, they sent a bunch of quilts over to Japan to an orphanage of kids who'd lost their families in a big earthquake and tsunami. Plus there are the quilts made for LifeCenter Northwest, which you can read about in past posts on the blog. 

When I asked what her favorite part was about Sew Much Love, she joked that the potlucks were the best part, but did say that she loves the friendships she's made. Her real answer: She got to go to LifeCenter Northwest to tour their facility and see firsthand how the donors quilts are being used. She said it was an amazing experience.

Cindy's favorite scripture about service is Moroni 7:13- "But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually, wherefore, everything which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God." Cindy certainly exemplifies those qualities as she spends so much time making these quilts!

Come get to know Cindy and more friends by coming to our Tuesday meetings 10-12 at the Stake Center. Thanks for the interview, Cindy!