Donation taken to Shriners Childrens Hospital in St Louis on Saturday

My daughter, Ashley, and I had a lot of fun taking a large donation to Shriners Childrens Hospital in St Louis. We drove up the three hours to attend a wedding at the St Louis temple (absolutely beautiful) and then went to the hospital to drop off the donation.  We arrived at the front desk as usual and filled in the customary donation form, then drove around the side of the building to unload the Suburban with the help of Wayne, the cheerful Shriners volunteer who helps with the larger donations.

As we unloaded the vehicle, my mind mentally traced all the items in the donation to the volunteers who had given so much of their time, talents and hearts to make this miracle for the little patients at Shriners as possibility.  A pair of crutches that will now give the gift of movement to a child laid on top of the patchwork quilt that will snuggle a little one fresh out of surgery and needing warmth to heal.  Over to the right, many large clear plastic bags were filled with over 65 afghans, lovingly knitted and crocheted by those who put their caring into action.

Special teddies that are made with materials to combat sensitive bodies and noses waited patiently for little arms to wrap around them and a gaggle of cutie smaller teddy bears in tan and happy purple looked darling with all their smiles peeking over the edge of the box.

The box picked up next was heavy.  It was filled with 70+ boxer type shorts for the xray room so children would be able to wear modest clothing while getting xrays to determine how their surgeries were going.  The shorts were a fun treasure hunt for Ashley and I – we shopped in Springfield, Rolla, Cabool, Mountain Grove, Houston, and Licking before finding what we were looking for in West Plains at Shay’s store – a huge clearance table with just what the doctor ordered – literally – shorts for the xray room with comfortable elastic waistbands and in sizes all the way from xsmall to very large for the older children.  As we checked out, we told the salesgirl what the shorts were for and she called her manager to get us a further discount for charity.  What a wonderful thing for them to do and we were so grateful to get the shorts we needed for just over $100.  There were a few more we had picked up along the way at sales and delivering the box was a culmination of fun, shopping and a lot of love.  We didn’t have time to sew the shorts like last year so were delighted to find what we needed already sewn.

Another heavy box, this time filled with hygiene items – shampoo, conditioners, body lotion, face cleansers, toothpaste, mouthwash and more.  Saving all the little bottles when we go traveling is fun, much to the chagrin of my husband who hears me holler “Don’t use the bottles, I need them for the hospital” at every hotel room   We managed to find someone selling a large box of sample size hygiene items at the local flea market – H & K in Houston, MO.  That’s a lovely flea market and antique mall.  Nice and clean and filled with wonderful treasures and also basics.  The folks who own the flea market donate a booth to Relief Share to use as a fundraiser, many times we find what is needed at the flea market as we are there cleaning the booth and adding more things for folks to buy – usually from another de-cluttering episode at my house and the homes of volunteers.

Also in the donation is toys, books, blankets, clothing, and many more needed items.  Roughly a year ago we had a request from Shriners to make and donate 240 twin size quilts for their small patients to use on the hospital beds.  After the donation on Saturday we only need 5 more to make 240.  The quilts are very much needed, if you are reading this and would like to donate a twin size quilt to Shriners, please send it directly to them in St Louis (you can find their address on Lindbergh Blvd using google) and email is at info@ReliefShare.org to let us know you did.

We are so grateful to all those who made and donated quilts through us to Shriners. There are a lot of happy cuddled children there now.  We also sent a big box of toys from my www.GrandmothersAttic.net shop. Berenguer baby dolls just the right size for little hands, teddy bears, puppy dogs and more.

Here are a few pictures taken when we dropped the donation off:

Lots of love and smiles to unload at Shriners Childrens Hospital in St Louis for the children

Volunteer, Wayne, cheerfully helps us unload.

Bags of handmade hats and afghans – over 50 of them for the children in those two bags alone!

The gift of crutches will allow a child to be mobile.

Tigger talks - the children love that, and a puppy waits for snuggles

A warm quilt to cuddle a child in the recovery room.

Donations

I help get the toys out of the back of the Suburban

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Lots of love and work in the donation, now to get busy on the next donation!