Relief Share quilts being made from fabric bought with vase fundraiser.

A huge thank you to Dottie S, who donated her beautiful Fostoria vase to Relief Share when she heard we needed funds to buy fabric to make twin size quilts for Shriners Childrens Hospital.

Relief Share listed the beautiful vase as a charity fundraiser on Ebay.  An ebay buyer, who knows how important charity work is, emailed us with an offer and purchased it.  She paid immediately through paypal.

One of our volunteers, Laura B. , called us to let us know there was a Fabric Liquidation sale  in town.  The sale was only on for two days at rock bottom prices.  The purchase of the vase happened at the perfect time for Relief Share to get the much needed fabric for the twin size patchwork quilts at a good price.

The sale of the vase resulted in yards and yards of wonderful 100% cotton fabric for our compassionate service work!  The Lord blesses those who are doing their best to help others.  We are grateful for the “miracle of the vase”!

Relief Share is making 240 much needed twin size patchwork quilts for sick and needy children who are undergoing medical treatment, including serious surgeries.  We have received generous donations towards this project and since January 1, 2013 have donated 44 twin size quilts but still have 196 more to make.  Each quilt takes approx 12 yards of fabric, 6 yards of batting, thread and yarn.

So, what can one donation do?  With the economy of heaven and the heartfelt work of dedicated volunteers working to maximize donation funds – one donation can do plenty. Just ask the children that will be comforted and snuggled under the patchwork twin size quilts donated to the hospital by Relief Share what your donation means!  Everyone’s efforts make a difference!

Do you want to help with the quilts needed for the children in hospital?  We hope so – we still have a lot more quilts to make.  Please  send fabric to Relief Share, 6078 Lundy Rd, Houston, MO 65483-2225 or send something we can sell to raise the funds to get the batting, thread, fabric and yarn to tie the quilts with.  If you are able, a paypal donation to info@reliefshare.org would be wonderful, too.  We accept all kinds of fabric for the quilts – it doesn’t have to be 100% cotton.  We send a thank you letter/tax deductible receipt for every donation received so be sure to include your name and mailing information.  We are grateful for your help!

Questions? Email us at info@ReliefShare.org

Carol Green
President
ReliefShare.org

United Camera - the very best!

A huge THANK YOU to United Camera for helping Relief Share with a discount on getting our cameras fixed for our charity work.  We are thrilled to have our old cameras up and going again – just like new!  United Camera’s service is pleasant, professional and timely.

We had almost given up our 2 cameras for lost as they were old technology and we didn’t even know if there were parts available.  The volunteers know how to use them, though, and they do take good pictures when working.  Imagine our delight when receiving them repaired and working perfectly.  We can’t thank United Camera enough – they are marvelous!  Thanks again for hearing our plea for help and working with us.

Cameras are very important in our Relief Share charity work and we grateful for the assistance! What do we use cameras for?

• taking pictures of babies for new moms in the hospital without cameras or funds to get newborn pictures taken
• taking hospital pictures of little ones ‘gone too soon’ for family keepsakes
• ebay auctions – Relief Share fundraisers are much more successful with good pictures of items being sold to raise funds to buy supplies to help the sick and needy
• sharing patterns over the internet is a lot easier to understand with pictures of the finished item, such as knitted, crocheted, tatted, quilted, sewn, and serged finished goods.
• pictures of volunteers and work meetings are great motivational helps.
• pictures of a child’s progress during medical treatment helps others see that there is hope.  Pictures also make a good keepsake for the child looking back and seeing how far they’ve come.
• many other applications for our cameras are implemented.

United Camera bio:

Since first opening its doors in the 1960s, United Camera has become a nationwide leader in the repair of cameras, lenses, iPods, iPads, iPhones and gaming devices. We continually strive to provide a better repair experience for each customer:

“We believe that every customer, from the beginning photographer to the multi-million dollar manufacturer, deserves to have their devices repaired expertly, quickly and for a reasonable cost. This is why we guarantee your products will be fixed right and why millions of customers have chosen United Camera for their repairs.” - Steve Schuldt, President, United Camera

www.unitedcamera.com

Do you need your camera fixed? Don’t hesitate to contact United Camera, you’ll be in good hands!  866-488-8227.  Tell them Relief Share sent you!

Infant demise diapers - for little ones 'gone too soon'.

ReliefShare.org thanks Teeny Tears for their recent donation of diapers that were distributed to Missouri hospitals and charity organizations for the sick and needy. May God bless all their volunteers and donors for their compassionate service work.

Teeny Tears Diapers is a service organization of volunteers that provides tiny flannel bereavement diapers to hospitals and bereavement support organizations at no charge for families that have suffered the loss of a preemie or micropreemie child through stillbirth or NICU loss. Project launched November 2011 in loving memory of Dex J Bradshaw.

Relief Share donation out

It was a lot of fun for Relief Share volunteers to deliver donations that were made with love by dedicated volunteers. The donations that came in from folks who are sharing their spring cleaning with the less fortunate were so much appreciated as well.

Clean out your closets for a good cause. You can send the items to us at Relief Share, 6078 Lundy Rd, Houston, MO 65483.  We have no restrictions on what types of donations we accept, as there is no restrictions on lack for the sick and needy.  All we ask is that the donations be usable and clean.

Some types of donations received and donated back out recently are:

-clothing, pajamas, shoes, socks, coats, receiving blankets, sleepers, jackets, shirts, pants, underwear, scarves, quilts, baby blankets, afghans

- books, videos, music, toys, games, dolls, toy trucks, farm toys, doll clothing and accessories, computer programs, software, machinery

-fabric, thread, yarn, batting, stuffing, crafting supplies, knitting needles, crochet hooks, tatting shuttles, needlework tools, sewing machine repair, stencils, scissors, thimbles

- household dishes, plants, pots and pans, deep fryer, grill, glassware, tablecloths, drapes, comforters, sheets, pillows, bedding, quilts

.

All donations that are received are usually donated out immediately to where they will do the most good.  Thank you so much for all your help.

Carol Green
President
ReliefShare.org
info@ReliefShare.org

quilts donated to Shriners Childrens Hospital in St Louis, MO

Hey…help!!  Relief Share NEEDS DONATIONS OF QUILT BACKING FOR CHARITY PROJECT FOR SICK AND NEEDY CHILDREN.  I am working on the twin size quilts that Relief Share is making for Shriners Childrens Hospital and I am desperate for backing for these quilts.  If you could part with some muslin, broadcloth, kids print, solid colors – any fabric I could use it for backing, we have  10 or 12 quilts ready  to be put together but am minus backing, we have delivered 43 since January , have 5  more finished, and are going on the 19th to St Louis to deliver them and am hoping to have more finished by then.

Our total that is needed is 240 and Relief Share volunteers are sewing as fast as we can.  The quilts are 70″ x 90″ to fit the beds, then if the patient is needing it to go home with them, they are sent home, otherwise they are kept at the hospital for the next patient.

All donations are tax deductible – please clean out your craft rooms and sewing closets for a good cause, I really need your help!

You can see all the things we are working on in our blog www.reliefshare.org/wordpress and I put a lot of free patterns and pictures on our facebook page at www.facebook.com/reliefshare

Please send donations to Relief Share, 6078 Lundy Rd, Houston, MO 65483-2225 info@ReliefShare.org

Easter donations for babies in hospital

This Easter was celebrated with a large donation of items lovingly made by ReliefShare.org for the babies and taken to Texas County Memorial Hospital in Houston, MO.  There were baby afghans, hats, booties, socks, blankets, sweaters, and more.  Our Relief Share volunteers and donors outdid themselves in making the most adorable and usable items for the sick and needy babies – the items are useful and also sweet and adorable.

Its been a very chilly month and seems to be staying cold.  Relief Share volunteers love everyone to be comfortable and warm, especially the very old and the very young. Donations of warm scarves, hats, coats, clothing, bedding and mittens have come in and been donated out to where the need is the greatest.  Boxes of darling handmade dolls, knitted balls, warm double receiving blankets and yummy soft scrumptious flannel, fleece and minky fabric arrived at Relief Share home office and is quickly being made into needed items.

Twin size quilts are being sewn and hard working caring volunteers are tying the patchwork quilts as fast as they can at fun quilting bees held at the home of the main project co-ordinator. Jan is amazing and has ‘rallied the troops” to work fast, efficiently and joyfully to provide 240 twin size quilts for Shriners Childrens Hospital in St Louis.  Relief Share completed 240 quilts for the hospital two years ago and we are doing it again

Volunteers Larry and Linda Smith spent hours working on our four Relief Share flea market booths that are donated by H & K Flea Market in Houston, MO.  Everyone gets involved in donating items to fill the booth to raise funds for supplies and needed items to help the sick and needy.

President Carol Green went through her home and de-cluttered to bring a truck load of items to fill the booths.  You’ll find everything in our booths – Carol jokes that if it’s not nailed to the floor and needed to sell to get the yarn and fabric needed – it’s going to wind up in the flea market booth.  Her children grew up knowing that if they didn’t clean up their stuff and left it lying around, it got sold!  (one way to get children to tidy their rooms

Dottie Schafer and Carol Green spent an enjoyable afternoon taking donations to where they are very much needed. Dottie went through the clothing she had saved from when her children were little and donated boxes full of very nice clean and excellent condition baby and childrens clothing, along with a bag of much needed children’s shoes.  The recipients were so glad to get the items and it made Dottie feel good to share her precious treasures from when her kids were little.

There is joy in giving service and goods to others!

 The feeling you get in knowing you are in the right place, at the right time, doing the right thing helping your brothers and sisters in Christ is amazing.  In a world where its easy to get caught up in political problems, personal conundrums and depressed with how difficult it is to get by these days, it is a blessing to be able to wash away negativity with positive actions.

Here are some ideas on how to make your life joyful and productive – even more than you are doing now (and you may already be doing these things):

1.  Clean out your closets and home for a good cause. You will feel a lot better owning your possessions instead of having them own you.  Put the excess that you know others need and you don’t, into boxes and mail them to us at Relief Share, 6078 Lundy Rd, Houston, MO 65483-2225.  We will send you a thank you letter and tax deductible receipt for your donations.  We know the price of shipping is getting higher – so if you can’t afford to ship your donations to us, consider calling a local charity and have them pick up your donations.  One man’s excess is another man’s treasure, especially when they don’t have what is needed. Your old snow boots may be a life saver to someone else and you’ll love the extra space in your home.

2.   Ask yourself – have you done any good in the world today, have you helped anyone in need? It’s one of our favorite songs we hear regularly at church, and it is a good litmus to see where we are in our humanitarian service.  Make yourself a promise that you will help at least one person per

Ask yourself – have you done any good in the world today, have you helped anyone in need?

day.  It doesn’t have to be earth shattering, like an entire truckload of donations or enough money donated to help others that temporarily hurts a tad in your budget (even though that is nice), it can be opening the door for someone else with a smile, cleaning the kitty litter box – even though it’s not your turn, or making someone else’s bed for a surprise.  How about calling someone just to tell them you love them, or giving them that sweater of yours they love and comment on every time they see you wear it and you don’t need the sweater really as you have  others.  Put on your thinking cap and ‘move it, move it’ to help others.

3.  Pray daily for your fellowmen. Oh, we don’t mean the rote prayers that are memorized, or the ones that are really generic, we mean the heartfelt prayers where you are chatting with your Heavenly Father and letting him know what is important to you.  We have a precious volunteer and friend who has really struggled with terrible bouts of cancer.  Honestly, if it was according to medical knowledge, she should have died by now, but through prayers and positive attitude, Vonnie is alive and kicking and in remission.  That was one of the best phone calls we have ever gotten – she is in remission because of love and prayers offered on her behalf, a doctor who just wouldn’t give up on her and her own marvelous attitude and relationship with God.  Prayers matter.  Choose carefully what you want to pray for, or who, and then do it daily.  Think of it as daily vitamins for the soul.

Well, we have a lot of other suggestions but these three are good to work on right now.  We must walk -  in learning to serve God and others – before we run, trip and get discouraged.  Take life a day at a time. Never mind yesterday, it’s gone, but today …..  today is such a marvelous gift from God – share your ‘today’ with others.

Happy hugs and lots of love to you from Relief Share

Darling hats and booties for sick and needy babies in hospital

It’s fun to open the mail at Relief Share, especially when it is a box of the most darling baby hats and booties/slippers.  This wonderful box of the softest baby items has now been delivered to the hospital for precious new babies needing to conserve body heat and use their strength to heal and grow.  Every stitch in in place and it is very apparent that the volunteer did her best in creating these gifts of love.

Fun warm double knitted hats and baby cocoons

Nights watching TV with family, enjoying entertainment and hands busy with clicking knitting needles makes for lots of happy warm babies and children. This donation of double layer hats and baby cocoons was delivered to the Food Pantry and Crisis Center.  With the cold snap making folks miserable and mothers worried about keeping children warm, this was a delightful donation to gladden hearts and warm bodies.  Some of the hats are going to the school for the mentally handicapped. They love the bright colors and the soft warmth.  A huge thank you to our volunteers who make miracles happen.

Lots of love knitted up for the sick and needy by Relief Share volunteers

Lotsa love – ReliefShare.org donation of baby cocoons, hats, and booties for the sick and needy in Texas County Missouri. We have wonderful donors and volunteers ♥

All different kinds and colors of yarn were combined with skill, love and effort into this large donation that just went out to bless the lives of God’s sick and needy children.

Baby cocoons from preemie sizes to 6 months old and matching hats, baby hats, hats for children and adult hats were knitted and crocheted.

’tis the season to be sneezin’ is one of the quips heard as volunteers actively addressed the needs of little ones who are shivering in the cold and need essential items to keep them warm and healthy.  For the children who are seriously ill, the hats and cocoons aren’t just a comfort item, but life savers as they need to keep up their strength to heal instead of just trying to keep warm.

Prayers were said over each gift of love and hearts were full as we saw the outpouring of love for those who are sick and afflicted.

With each donation coming in and going out flows the pure love of Christ.  Right now we are dealing with the need to stay warm – that means knitted and crocheted hats, socks, booties, baby cocoons, afghans and blankets.  We are also making baby blankets, quilts, clothing, gowns, tee shirts, pants and jackets for little ones to be warm and snuggly.

Do you like to sew, knit, crochet, tat, quilt or create?  We would love to have you help us in our humanitarian service efforts.  There are no restrictions on what can be donated.  Relief Share addresses crisis – all types of crisis- and we do our best to quickly respond to requests for assistance.

January is not finished with us yet! So far ReliefShare.org has donated clothing, bedding, hats, shoes, household goods, pet supplies, baby blankets, nursing pillows, afghans, and a lot more to many organizations and individuals in need.

We need your help to be able to provide items to the sick and needy.  Supplies are needed for our volunteers to work with – fabric, yarn, thread, batting, craft tools (scissors, rotary cutters and mats, patterns, Accuquilt GO templates, Sillhouette Cameo accessories, knitting machines and accessories, etc). Finished items are also needed for donations out.

Please send donations to:

Relief Share
6078 Lundy Rd
Houston, MO 65483-2225

Relief Share is a 501 (c) 3 registered charity with the IRS and we send a thank you letter/tax deductible receipt for each donation so be sure to include a note with your address in the box.

YOU are important and can make a significant difference in the lives of those who, for various reasons, can’t help themselves at the moment.  Many times, those who received help have returned to be the helper and donated items, time and service in return for others who need assistance.  It’s exciting to see the cycle of love complete and generate more love.  We have been providing humanitarian service for over 2 decades from this location, it is such a blessing to see God’s love perpetuate generosity, caring, and support for those who are in emergent circumstances.

Knitted gnomes donated for sick and needy children

In the aftermath of a disaster, one of the most powerful tools in a rescuer’s armory is the ability to distribute soft toys to children who are traumatized. This has long been recognized as an effective way of helping traumatized children, and it is worth considering exactly why this is. It also helps us to understand the importance of the work we do in sending handmade items, such as toys, to aid agencies.

The Invisible Power of Toys

We all know that children love their soft toys, but have you ever wondered about the psychological reasons behind this attachment? Researchers Bruce Hood, of the University of Bristol, and Paul Bloom of Yale University  conducted a study into the phenomena of attachment items – blankets or toys – and their results were striking. They ascertained that children believe that their toys have an ‘essence’, or life force, qualities that cannot be replicated. When offered the chance to have their toy ‘duplicated’ an overwhelming majority chose the original item over the duplicate. Professor Hood comments, “We anthropomorphize objects, look at them almost as if they have feelings. The children know these objects are not alive but they believe in them as if they are.” This behavior can be seen in adults too. After a burglary, even if the house contents are fully protected and stolen items replaced with identical ones, there remains a sense of dissatisfaction and loss. The new object never seems to replace the original. It seems that imbuing objects with special significance and regarding them as having an essential essence is not confined to children. In fact, it the cultural norm in some cultures. Professor Hood points out the some eastern beliefs centre around the idea that all things have a life force. Some cultures even find it hard to live in other people’s homes as they have a strong belief that there is ‘something intangible’ left behind by the previous occupants.

Transitional Objects

With this research in mind, imagine a child losing everything in a natural disaster? Imagine if their precious toy was lost forever, and they had to cope without comfort, in the midst of chaos and possibly bereavement. This is where aid shipments of toys can really help rescuers. Because even if the soft toys they distribute are not the ‘originals’, they still offer huge comfort to traumatized children. Many children in disaster areas will never have owned a soft toy of course. For these children, having something soft and comforting to hold, such as a toy or blanket, has shown to be highly effective in emotional recovery. In the west, up to 70% of children have a comfort object, since they tend to sleep apart from their parents at an early age. This is significant. Children in societies where this is not the norm may not have soft toys, but the importance of the parent in a sense of security is consequently even higher. To lose a parent in a disaster for these children is psychologically devastating. ‘Transitional objects’ (a physical object, which takes the place of the mother-child bond) become even more crucial in the days before proper support can be put in place in the rebuilding of a country.

Rescuers

Rescuers find that important links can be made with children in disaster areas or war zones if they are able to give them a soft toy to hold. There are several charities in the US who make sure that firefighters and policemen are kept stocked up with teddies for their vehicles, just in case they have to deal with a traumatized child. Their testimony proves that soft toys make a big difference.

Toys Change Lives

Aid workers in danger hotspots around the globe provide similar anecdotal evidence. The power of softness and comfort cannot be underestimated. Traumatized children can confide in a teddy bear in a way that may not be possible with an adult. Toys are frequently used in play therapy for this very reason, where they are known to improve feelings of social inclusion and pro-social behavior. The attachment that is formed between a child and the toy they are given cannot be more powerful. The gifts that you make and send abroad change lives, and bring comfort where there is despair. You can knit and sew in the knowledge that your work is making a difference to children somewhere in the world.

There are hundreds of free patterns for simple soft toys here.  Make some toys, or send supplies to make toys to:

Relief Share, 6078 Lundy Rd, Houston, MO 65483-2225.

Relief Share...serving God's tiniest children

2013 is shaping up quite nicely already for Relief Share.  Donations have flowed in and out with the help from caring hearts putting their love in action for the sick and needy.

Our Relief Share facebook page is added to continuously with tips, hints, patterns, pictures and information on what activities are taking place and what the most urgent needs are.  Visit us at www.facebook.com/reliefshare

TOP THREE CURRENT PROJECTS:

1.  We are making 240 twin size quilts for Shriners Childrens Hospital in St Louis.  Volunteers and donors efforts have allowed us to take 19 finished quilts to the hospital in the last two weeks.  The quilts are being made from flannel, minky, chenille, cotton and knit fabric.  If you would like to help with supplies, please send fabric, yarn for tying the quilts and batting.  We would also love donations of finished quilts.  Shriners has asked that the quilts be fun, pretty, and happy so we are using all kinds of pastels, brights and kids prints to make the quilts help the children to have a positive experience in hospital.  It’s hard enough to go through serious surgery but if the healing environment is one of cheerfulness and joy, it can turn a difficult experience into a tolerable one.

2.  Relief Share is committed to providing hats, mittens and scarves to Texas County this winter through the Food Pantry and Crisis Center.  Hand made crocheted, knitted or sewn items or store bought items are welcomed. So far we have donated 30 mittens, 2 boxes of scarves and 70 hats.  Many more are needed so get out those crochet hooks and knitting needles and have fun making hats, scarves and mittens for those who need the warmth.

3.  Relief Share’s ongoing permanent project is keeping hospitals, medical clinics, crisis centers, homeless shelters and other organizations that address the needs of sick and needy babies and families stocked with basic goods to start life out right for babies.  Some of the items needed are: baby blankets, baby quilts, receiving blankets, socks, hats, booties, shoes, onesies, t-shirts, sleepers, gowns, nursing pillows and nursing pillow covers, mitts, diaper bags, shampoo, conditioner, soap, lotion, diaper cream, diapers (cloth and disposable), baby oil, soft toys, books, baby CDs, baby carriers, car seats, cribs, bassinets, high chairs, playpens, learning toys, pacifiers, bath toys, diaper covers, baby monitors, baby afghans, etc.  Think baby – we can use it for the sick and needy.

Relief Share is engaged in many activities that relieve suffering, promote self reliance and take care of emergent needs.  Our volunteers sew, serge, knit, quilt, crochet, tat, paint and create a variety of items to help others with.  Clean out your sewing room and craft closet for a good cause.

Please send donations to

RELIEF SHARE
6078 LUNDY RD
HOUSTON,  MISSOURI 65483-2225

We have been involved in humanitarian work here for the past 21 years at this location.  Relief Share is a non profit charity registered with the IRS and each donation receives a thank you letter/tax deductible receipt.  You can’t save the world or alleviate all the suffering in it by yourself, but together we can make this wonderful earth a better place to be.  Join us in helping Gods sick and needy today.

Soft sparkle yarn was used to make this cocoon and Momma hats for Relief Share

When the winter winds swirl around and chill us to our bones, you can imagine how the little ones feel….baby, it’s cold outside!  Baby blankets, quilts, clothing and knitted or crocheted cocoons are very much needed for the babies in hospital and those in homeless shelters or crisis situations. 

The pattern in very simple – cast on 80 stitches with circular needles or flat needles and knit for 18″.  Decrease:
- knit every 8th stitch together for one row, knit the next row,

- knit every 7thstitch together for one row, knit the next row,

- knit every 6th stitch together for one row, knit the next row,

- knit every 5th stitch together for one row, knit the next row,

- knit every 4th stitch together for one row, knit the next row,

- knit every 3th stitch together for one row, knit the next row,

- knit every 2th stitch together for one row, knit the next row,

- cut the yarn long enough to seam the cocoon and gather the stitches on the needle into a circle and seam the cocoon. If you are knitting with circular needles, just gather the last stitches in the row and tie off. 

This pattern works for the Ultimate Sweater Machine as well – you will need a garter bar for the decreases or knit for 21″ instead and simply gather the final row.

The hat pattern is the same for the cocoon but knit for 6 1/2″ before decreasing – this makes an adult hat. The baby hat is the same pattern but only cast on 40 stitches for a preemie baby or 80 stitches for a newborn baby and knit for 5 1/2″ before decreasing.

If you want to do chemo hats, it is nice if you add a crocheted flower to the side of the hat to cheer up the patient or if the hat is for a male, stripes can be added.

Donations are sent to Relief Share, 6078 Lundy Rd, Houston, MO 65483-2225.  We are a 501 (c) 3 IRS approved charity – donations are tax deductible. 

Make this season a bit warmer and more comfortable for the sick and needy by putting your sewing, knitting, crochet or crafting skills to work. 

People who are not familiar with Relief Share charity work sometimes ask us what we do and what kind of donations we accept.  The answer is simple.  If there is a need and we are capable of addressing it, we do.  Donations of all kinds are gratefully accepted – clothing for all ages, toys, books, household goods, animal supplies, cancer patient needs, help for those in hospital, homeless shelters, crisis centers and families who have emergent needs. 

Relief Share mainly handles crisis situations to help in emergencies.  We provide food (if available) clothing and items to help folks get through the crisis.  Babies are always first and foremost in our humanitarian work.  We specialize in newborn and preemie quilts, receiving blankets, cocoons, diapers, clothing, toys and more.

Currently our main project is keeping the hospital stocked with baby items so new babies in need can go home with the basics for a good start in life and we are also making 240 twin size quilts for Shriners Childrens Hospital.  Supplies such as fabric, yarn, batting, etc are needed.

Minky comfort blankets

 Do you know what minky fabric is? Oh my, you should!  At Relief Share, we love minky! (sometimes it is spelled minkee)

Minky fabric is a plush, microfiber fabric. It is incredibly soft and smooth to the touch.  Minky fabric comes in all sorts of styles, colors and patterns. There are nearly 400 varieties, from prints and patterns of licensed characters to simply raised, dotted styles.  Minky fabric is used to construct blankets, typically for small children down to infant age. The texture provides comfort and a smooth surface to cuddle against or lie on.

Using minky fabric as a sewing material can be challenging, but there are tips that can help. Cut minky with a rotary cutter to cut down on the inevitable mess of fuzz. Although time consuming, pin minky every one to 1.5 inches. Minky has a tendency to curl, so give a seam allowance of about 1/2 inch.

Minky fabric, a polyester microfiber, is an excellent choice for plush baby blankets, warm, soft hats, cuddly stuffed animals and any other project that calls for plush fabric. You’ll find Minky is easy to sew, but it does handle differently from other fabrics. In order to create Minky items that look like professionally sewn pieces, you must adjust your sewing approach to accommodate the fabric’s unique qualities.

It is the fabric that babies and children adore.  It is dreamy, soft, luscious, snuggly fabric that soothes a little one at a doctor’s visit, it is what a soft cuddly bunny is made of that dries the tears of a child in a car accident, it is the blanket that a little boy suffering from cancer reaches for to help him through his chemo treatment.

Relief Share makes soft minky diaper covers for children in body casts so their discomfort is minimized and the covers are made for children of all ages.  We also put the Shriners label on the diaper covers for the hospital to easily identify.  All kinds of blankets, soft toys and garments are made here at Relief Share to be given out in donations for the sick and needy.

Minky is easy to sew with, very desirable and can work miracles in a child’s life.  The other thing that minky is – is expensive.  Relief Share rarely has the kind of funds that it takes to provide minky for the volunteers to work with in making items that are needed in the hospital, crisis center and homeless shelters.

Due to the love of a very sweet angel who watches over our humanitarian efforts, a large donation of the dreamiest minky has arrived at Relief Share headquarters for the volunteers to create miracles with.  Our gratitude and love go out to them for their kindness and generosity in sending such a much needed donation!

Donation for a newborn baby girl!

We just love it when our Relief Share donations are met with as much excitement and enthusiasm as they are sent with.  There will be a little baby girl that is warm and snuggly this Christmas, thanks to the combined donations of those who love God’s tiniest children and want to help.

This donation consisted of new and gently used clothing shared by hearts and hands that know how important it is to give a little one a nice warm snuggly start in life!

Merry Christmas to a new little wee one in Arizona! May her and her mother’s holidays be happy and bright.

Do you have baby clothing you have stashed away that has never gotten used and want to share with those who really need the items?  We can give you back your storage space and make your donations count.  Donations from Relief Share are given to babies and families in crisis – either through sickness, domestic violence, poverty or other trauma.  Every piece of clothing, every pacifier, blanket, socks, onesies, receiving blankets, and baby items make a major difference in the lives of those who lack and only need someone to put their love in action and help with a donation.

Simply put your items in a box and ship to Relief Share, 6078 Lundy Rd, Houston, MO 65483-2225.  Be sure to include your address so we can send you a tax receipt and thank you letter.

May your Christmas be cheery and bright!

Baby hats - so soft and well made.

These beautiful soft crocheted hats have just been donated to ReliefShare.org  – they are wonderful and very much needed as the cold weather sets in.  Thank you so much to Connie S. from Summersville, MO for her generosity and kindness to God’s tiniest and most helpless children.

The hats were donated this afternoon and have already been donated out to where they are needed the most

Crisis center donation of warm hats, scarves and more!

Our Relief Share volunteers have been very busy knitting and crocheting up a storm.  Donations have come in from many parts of the country to be combined with items made here at Relief Share’s home office in the Ozarks.  Many items to keep babies and families warm have been created with love and prayers to be shared with the sick and needy who appreciate a gift from a stranger to ward off the cold.

Hats, scarves and other items can mean the difference between staying healthy and getting sick.  It can also mean the difference between a simple cold and pneumonia or worse.  In more desperate circumstances, it can even mean the difference between life and death.  Babies need their strength to heal and grow and a warm baby hat and cocoon can mean everything to a struggling family bringing home a preemie baby from the intensive care.

Relief Share is donating 50 handmade knitted hats, and many scarves and other items to the crisis center for the sick and needy, so the Thanksgiving and Christmas season will be a little warmer with love from the heart and hands of strangers who cared enough to spend their time, talents and resources on those who are in desperate circumstances and need help.

A heartfelt THANKS to all the wonderful donors and volunteers working with Relief Share to make the miracle of love and warmth happen for those who need us this season.

If you would like to help knit and crochet to help the sick and needy, feel free to use your own patterns and make hats, scarves, mittens, cocoons and sweaters in any size and any type of yarn – there is always someone waiting for your items as we address the needs at a number of hospitals, homeless shelters, crisis centers, medical clinics, churches etc across the country.

Send your donations to Relief Share, 6078 Lundy Rd, Houston, MO 65483-2225.  We always send a thank you letter/tax deductible receipt with each donation received, so be sure to include your name and address for us to thank you properly We are so grateful for your love in action. If you would like to donate yarn, knitting and crochet supplies and tools, please do – we will love you for it!

President Carol Green
info@ReliefShare.org

Email me – I would love to hear from you and answer any questions you may have.

Knitted and crocheted essential cloths donated to Relief Share, 6078 Lundy Rd, Houston, MO 65483 for the benefit of the sick and needy.

This wonderful donation just arrived from Binghamton Ravelry in Endicott, NY.  It is a marvelous donation of cloths, an essential item for washing dishes, faces, wee baby’s bodies and more!  No matter who you are, you need a way to keep yourself and your environment clean.  If you are able to sustain yourself and your lifestyle, a cloth may be something you take for granted, but if you are one of the many who are struggling for basic essentials, a cloth may be a life saver to you.

New moms with tiny babies need cloths for everything – cleaning up burps, babies and all that goes with having a baby in your life.  The homeless have to resort to whatever they can find around them – perhaps a newspaper or a paper towel picked up from a restaurant, just to stay clean.  Families in domestic violence situations sheltered in crisis centers are very grateful for soft cloths that they can do dishes with, dry dishes, clean living areas, etc.

Just think – the next time you pick up a dish cloth, wash cloth or towel to use – it may be something you never thought much about before, but can make all the difference when you don’t have it.

A HUGE thank you goes out to the Binghamton Ravelry group for their love in action in knitting and crocheting these essential cloths to bless the lives of those who need them.  May your Thanksgiving be as wonderful as you have made others by giving a donation of such usefulness to so many others through Relief Share

Relief Share volunteer, Linda Smith with the gorgeous quilt she pieced, and her husband machine quilted, for Ray Cox

Relief Share volunteers soften the blow for the sick and needy through making and donating handmade patchwork quilts.

Ray Cox, a long time volunteer, lost his sweet wife, Debbie, last year to cancer.  Dealing with pain and medical complications, Ray continued to reach out and help others, even through his own loss and trials. Relief Share volunteers Carol and Ashley Green bought some of the fabric and Linda and Gary Smith added more fabric and sewed and quilted two gorgeous quilts for Ray, one for him and one for his 2 year old granddaughter, Amber.

Amber's quilt to match Grandpa's

Ray was absolutely thrilled with the warm quilts, calling them ‘perfect’, he expressed his sincere gratitude for the love shown for him and blessing of warm quilts that are very much appreciated for his family.

Gary & Linda Smith - Relief Share volunteers

 Gary and Linda Smith are professional quilt makers. Linda pieces and sews the quilts and Gary machine quilts them.  Their generosity through Relief Share is a definite asset as the weather gets colder and warm quilts are needed to keep newborn babies and their families snuggled away from the cold. Gary and Linda also work in our Relief Share Flea Market booths, donated by H & K Flea Market across from the Houston Fairgrounds – to help Relief Share get the funds needed to make more quilts and buy supplies needed.

Relief Share stocks storage shelves at Texas County Memorial Hospital with baby quilts, receiving blankets, clothing, booties, nursing pillows, and pacifiers to make sure that all babies born with needs are given essential items to go home with.  We also address needs all across the nation, helping homeless shelters, crisis centers, individuals and families where ever the need is with the help of those who are ready, willing and able to donate time, talents, funds and supplies.

If you would like to help, please send donations to Relief Share, 6078 Lundy Rd, Houston, MO 65483-2225 or email info@ReliefShare.org for more information.  Many hands make light work and glorify our Father in Heaven as we obey his commandments to serve one another.

Rhona was always ready to lend a hand where ever or when ever she was needed.  I remember years ago having Rhona slip some money into my hand after a trip to Dallas with her.  She knew I needed to buy stamps for our ‘begging letters’ for charity so we would have fabric and batting to make the baby quilts for the little ones in hospital.  This was before email and facebook – we did things the hard way! I was so touched by her very generous offer as I knew she had sacrificed to do that for the babies.

Rhona was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and sister and will be missed by all who new and loved her sweet gentle presence.  May God be with you all the way, Rhona.

All our love,

President Carol Green
Relief Share – Founder/President
Newborns in Need – Founder

Darling wee gnomes knitted by volunteers - donated from Grandmother's Attic.

We’ve been busy little bees at ReliefShare.org with knitting machines going full blast!  Children and adults on the Medical Surgical floor at the hospital now have warm cuddly blankets, taggie blankets, soft knitted toy balls, knitted gnomes and more…we had a ball putting it all together and delivering it to the sick and needy!

Relief Share volunteer, Ashley Green and Nurse Linda at TCMH

Donation to Texas County Memorial Hospital, Houston, MO of baby items from ReliefShare.org

We were so excited to make a large delivery of knitted and crocheted baby afghans, hats and new baby clothing to the TCMH, Houston, MO hospital for the little babies in the Texas County area.

Volunteer, Ashley Green, the founder’s daughter, and Nurse Linda are pictured with the donation made my the loving hearts and hands of Relief Share volunteers.

A huge thank you to all the members of the Relief Share family that made this donation possible.

The hospital is very appreciative of all donations that we bring in to them for their sick and needy babies.

The most urgent need right now is for flannel receiving blankets.

If you have some you would like to share with the less fortunate or if you love to sew and would like to make some, please send your donation to Relief Share, 6078 Lundy Rd, Houston, MO 65483-2225 and we will combine your donation with others to help bless the lives of God’s tiniest and most helpless children and their families.

Love and hugs,
Carol Green/Founder
ReliefShare.org
info@ReliefShare.org

ReliefShare.org....serving God's tiniest and most helpless babies and families

Relief Share activity has been intense the past few months, so much so that we haven’t had time to update the blog, so here goes….

Donations out include:

- a large delivery to Shriners Childrens Hospital in St Louis Missouri containing, toys, clothes, bedding, and more.
- new baby girl donation of 2 knitted afghans, 2 knitted hats, 2 large stuffed toys for snuggling and positioning, 2 handknitted baby cocoons, onesies, shirts, pants, and outfits to help baby start life out right.
- needy family received a full size handmade quilt, bag of fabric to make items for family members, clothing for children, toys
- sports equipment for family who couldn’t afford the necessary items to stay healthy.
- baby change table to needy family with a pad and cover.
- donations of sleepers, outfits, blankets, cocoons, hats, pacifiers, onesies, wipes, baby shampoo, nursing pillows, etc to hospitals for patients
- donations to families of two newborn baby girls of essential items.

Thanks so much to our wonderful Relief Share ‘family’ who makes miracles happen. It is our donors and volunteers who make things happen.  We appreciate you and so do the recipients of our donations.

We received a very nice thank you letter from Shriners Childrens Hospital – they said that “Relief Share’s thoughtfulness provides comfort and support in the treatment of their children.  Their future is made brighter because we care!”

Makes you feel good, doesn’t it – to know sick and needy children are helped through loving hearts and willing hands.

May your summer be going wonderfully and God bless you every step of the day.

Carol Green
President,
Relief Share,
6078 Lundy Rd
Houston, MO 65483-2225

Note:  Urgent needs right now are baby clothing, hygiene items, bedding and toys and books for the children in hospital and being cared for through crisis centers.  You can send to the address above, all donations receive a thank you letter/tax deductible receipt.  We are a 501 (c) non profit charity registered with the IRS.

....serving God's tiniest children & families.

Notice: All donations and communication for Relief Share will continue to go to:

Relief Share,
6078 Lundy Rd,
Houston, MO
65483-2225.

We have been at the Missouri address for 20 years and will always be here to give relief to the sick and needy.

The Boise, Idaho office was open for 2 years, did a lot of good for many, and is being closed at the end of the month.

The work will continue as always for all compassionate service, where ever it may be

Darling soft pink gnome - knitted

These darling Relief Share gnomes give the babies and children, who are sick and needy, something to snuggle with. They can help turn a difficult situation into a tolerable one with a soft toy tucked under one arm.

The stress of seeing a preemie baby in the hospital neonatal intensive care unit struggling for breath can be lessened for parents who see a sweet gnome in the side of the isolette with a tiny outfit and blanket made for their baby by strangers filled with love and caring.

You can find the pattern here: http://www.ravelry.com/projects/dec2057/gnome-baby-2  A huge thank you to Tonya for sharing her pattern.

These little gnomes are easy to hand knit or knit on a knitting machine.  I hope you will make some for yourself, family and friends and then keep knitting make some extras to share with us with those in hospitals and shelters.

The pink gnome in the picture was hand knitted on size 6 knitting needles with acrylic yarn for the face, and the rest in worsted weight bamboo yarn.  We doubled the number of stitches in the pattern for a larger gnome, but the smaller gnomes are perfect for little hands, too.  There are many sizes of gnomes you can make, depending on what needles you use, or what machines or how many stitches you knit.

Little gnome snuggly and matching knitted woven ball.

Here is one of the regular size smaller gnomes we made and donated to the hospital.  This little gnome and ball were knitted on an Ultimate Sweater Machine knitting machine (the kind you buy at JoAnn Fabrics) that is not mechanized.  We used Love That Yarn acrylic yarn from Hobby Lobby.  The pattern for the knitted ball is here on our blog as well – please feel free to knit and send them for our sick and needy babies as well.

Pomegranate gnome next to Sea Turtle gnome

We knitted a little pomegranate gnome by hand and you can see the difference between the same pattern knitted on the machine and by hand.  Either way, they are a lot of fun. The little pomegranate gnome was given to a darling little boy at church who was good as gold for the entire hour with his little gnome to keep him company.  There is magic in these little gnomes, we think

Donations of knitted items, knitting supplies such as yarn, needles, etc can be sent to :

Relief Share,
6078 Lundy Rd,
Houston, MO 65483-2225

We are a 501 (c) 3 non profit registered with the IRS. Tax deductible receipts and thank you letters are sent out for donations received. Please include your name and address so we can thank you.

Part of the Texas County Memorial Hospital donation.

Relief Share volunteers and donors have been very busy lately.  Just like the elves who helped the shoemakers as they slept, there have been many hearts and hands anxiously engaged in a good cause – working hard quietly and efficiently to be the answer to fervent prayer from those who need help.  God answers many prayers through those who serve him here below.

Donations out recently include:

Over 80 items donated to Texas County Memorial Hospital in Houston, Missouri today (Saturday, June 2, 2012) – baby hats, soft toys, diapers, wipes, baby lotion, baby bath, baby shampoo, nursing covers, preemie clothing, newborn and 0-3 month clothing and more.  It was wonderful to hear that our donations are important to the hospital. One nurse expressed gratitude for the preemie clothes we brought, she said that there was a little 4 pound baby born recently who needed the clothing.  It makes us feel good to be able to help one of God’s tiniest children.

A donation for a tiny baby girl - soon to be born: afghans, blankets, cocoons, a soft toy, and clothing.

Baby girl - afghans, onesies, sleepers, socks, hats, swaddlers, toys, bottles, pacifiers, receiving blankets, quilts and stuffties.

Baby boy – soft scratch mitts, soft knitted woven toy balls.

An non profit organization who helps the sick and needy: fabric, sewing supplies, knitting supplies. (Yes, we share our supplies

Newborns in Need Ozarks Chapter, Missouri – yarn and flannel

Newborns in Need Springfield Chapter, Missouri - clothing, fabric, sewing supplies, PUL for diaper covers, velcro, elastic, fold over elastic – 6 garbage bags full.

Texas County Food Pantry, Missouri – a big box and large bag of children’s and adults clothing, household articles for needy.

St Vincent de Paul - 11 baby swaddler cocoons, teddy bears for sick and needy children.

St Lukes Hospital – teddy bears, stuffed animals, baby clothing, baby blankets

Donation to single mom for baby girl – stuffed animals, receiving blankets and sewing supplies to make her daughter items needed.

Donation to family of needed clothing, household items , supplies and household machines.

Deseret Industries – LDS Humanitarian - baby clothing, adult clothing, household items, toys, books

Donation to a church of knitting needles and yarn for their ladies to make items to for preemie and newborn sick and needy babies in hospital.

These are not all of the donations given but a sample of what has been recently donated to let you know what types of activities Relief Share helps with.  Other donations have been given to families in need of food, clothing, bedding and essentials, also donations given for animals that need help. Pet blankets and supplies for pet blankets have been donated to the Animal Shelter.

We seek to alleviate suffering and lack where ever it may be.  We try to  do what Jesus would do in the same situation.

May God bless all that have been so generous with their time, talents, funds and skills to help those who need care, love and temporal items.  It is the synergy of working together that makes miracles happen.

We welcome all to the Relief Share ‘family’, regardless of color, creed, belief or any real or imagined barriers or boundaries.  In God’s world, in the real world of unconditional love, you are one of us if you want to be…..so want to be

Relief Share is here with open arms to share our love, caring, workload and satisfying activities.

We have been asked what type of donations Relief Share accepts.  Answer? Everything and anything.  Just think about what you would need if a disaster hit, if you lost your job, if your baby was born too early and struggled for life with your family finances totally drained in simply keeping your son or daughter alive.  What would you need if a flood washed away your home, if you had lived in Joplin and the tornado took your car and tossed it into a tree – ripped off the roof of your house and while you struggle to accept the reality of destruction around you, find out your wife, husband or son or daughter was taken home to heaven at the same time.

What would you want, what would you need, how would you cope?  Relief Share provides food, clothing, bedding, toys for children to make horrible situations tolerable, tiny clothing for burial of little ones who needed just one last outfit to be snuggled in before the last goodbye. We provide sewing, crochet and knitting supplies to mothers who have the skill to make the items their family needs but don’t have the supplies to do it with.  It’s hard to sew when your sewing machine was snatched up by a tornado or melted in the fire.  Last year, with the help of two donors, we were able to place a number of sewing machines, knitting machines and sergers where they were most needed – even to the extent of doing without ourselves until a donor replaced our work day sewing machines and  sergers with more after they learned we donated ours out for more immediate emergencies.

We share.  You share.  Those who care share and we sacrifice to help others.  That is what life is really supposed to be like if we all want to live in peace and happiness.  We give Relief through Sharing – love in action and we do it with your help.

Look around your home, clean out your closets for a good cause. Don’t need it, don’t want it?  We can guarantee you that some one needs what you have. Put it in a box – or boxes – and ship it or bring it to Relief Share 6078 Lundy Road, Houston, MO 65483-2225.

We have been here for 20 years helping the sick and needy through non profits and will continue to be the help God sends to the sick and needy with you May your days be as blessed as you bless the lives of others.  Thank you.

Love and hugs,

Carol C Green
President
ReliefShare.org
non profit charity – all donations are tax deductible

Most recent donation from TW - thank you so much!

What a wonderful summer this is shaping up to be.  Lots of laughing, family and happy times.  The best part of summer is watching the ebb and flow of donations in and out through Relief Share.  While we are having fun enjoying ourselves, we also want others to be happy and enjoy this beautiful life God has blessed us with.  Our efforts to help the sick and needy also are a blessing to us to help us appreciate more what we have.

Some of the donations in are:

A marvelous Accuquilt Go! machine to help us make baby quilts, diaper bags, tote bags, school book bags, foster care bags, twin size quilts for the hospital, and soft toys.  It came with a die to cut small triangles and a square – perfect for all those little scraps of fabric we have been hoarding and cutting up as our hands can handle. As you know, it can be quite painful to do a lot of cutting out, either with scissors or rotary cutters, and the GO! machine is a wonderful blessing to help us be more effective, productive, timely and pain free Thank you to JW!  We are very grateful for your insightful and much appreciated donation.  JW from VA is Relief Share’s special angel who always seem to know exactly what we need, when we need it.  She has been a long time donor and friend.  She makes miracles happen!

What is brown, rectangular, and has the most wonderful surprise inside?  A box from TW from Manhattan, KS!  Inside we discovered the most darling baby clothing, soft stuffties and soft blocks.  They are going right to the hospital, where they are very much needed by sick and needy children.  Perfect cute choices, TW – you have excellent taste  We will have some very well dressed little ones due to your love and generous donation!

Did you know Relief Share has the most wonderful friends? Of course you did Well, our wonderful friends from the Newborns in Need Springfield Chapter drove all the way here to Houston, MO to bring us the most delicious soft cuddly fabric to use for soft toys and lovey comfort blankets.  We were doubly blessed by the good companionship of Judy and Jill for the afternoon. They are such delightful ladies and its a blast to be able to chat about charity work with kindred spirits.  In return we donated clothing, fabric, sewing supplies, PUL for diaper covers, velcro, elastic, fold over elastic – 6 garbage bags full.  It’s fun sharing – together we can help those who need us.  I love Judy so much, she is a marvelous lady with a big kind heart and the ability to handle hundreds of volunteers and keep them all happy helping others.

A lady who is always ready to help is KS. She donates a portion of her ebay auctions to Relief Share through the Mission Fish function on the online action site and also sends us boxes of baby and children’s clothing, etc.  It always puts a smile on my face to see the postage stamp that reads Wise, VA as I know the box will be filled with lots of love. She is also a talented reborn baby doll maker, we love her for all she does for the sick and needy we serve.

CR sends us the most wonderful crocheted afghans, baby cocoons, baby hats and other hand made items.  She has a heart as big as the outdoors and puts her love in action by sharing with God’s tiniest and most helpless babies through Relief Share. God bless you for your care

MP from Calvert City, KY has been with us for many many years.  Her dedication and sacrifice for others who are sick and needy is an inspiration to all of us, no challenge too big, no need to small.  If you want help, she is always right there for you.  Boxes of supplies, quilt batting, clothing, toys, and other essentials that are much needed come in from MP, just when they are needed the most.  Thank you so much, we love you!

MP of Elizabeth Park, CA sent the sweetest knitted baby clothing.  The love for children is apparent in every article.  Thank you!!

JM of Martinsburg, WV blessed our sick and needy little ones with a large box of darling knitted baby clothing and toys.  Thank you for your donation, it was very much appreciated.

These are just some of the donations received in – we will post more later along with donations out so you can see donations coming in and where they are going, too

May your summer be as bright and happy as you have made others’

God bless you,

Carol C Green
ReliefShare.org
info@ReliefShare.org

All donations can be sent to
Relief Share
6078 Lundy Rd
Houston, MO 65483-2225

Note: We have been at this address for 20 years! Isn’t it nice to know some things remain constant?! �

Someone to watch over me

Debra Cox was a marvelous sweetheart who loved the babies and children everywhere. She put her love in action by doing marvelous charity work to make sure the sick and needy had warm clothes and bedding and essential items necessary for a great start in life for God’s tiniest and most helpless children.

Relief Share misses our beloved friend and volunteer – Debbie’s kind heart was felt over the miles and throughout the day as we pondered her kindness and generosity she shared with everyone with the help of her supportive husband, Ray.  Heaven needed another angel and Debbie is probably very busy being God’s angel watching over babies for him.

Ray has kept her love alive and her good works continuing by his donations to Relief Share .  Just recently he made a marvelous (and much needed donation) of a large amount of gorgeous fabric that is being used to make baby blankets, comfort lovey blankets, infant clothing, soft toys and more.

With the economy taking it’s toll on the ability of folks to donate, fabric donations are becoming essential for us to continue our charitable efforts.  Ray knows and understands just how important donations are to help Relief Share answer God’s call the bless the lives of his most helpless little ones.

Ray also shared Debbie’s sewing supplies and machines with us so more volunteers have the tools and supplies they need to get involved.  I know the angels are doing high fives, with Debbie in the lead, as they see Ray continuing to move the work forward and helping to turn tragedy into triumph in the lives of those who have great need and now are swaddled in beautiful warm baby quilts and have the necessary clothing to sustain life.

A letter from one of the hospitals we donate to stated: “your gift of baby items allowed us to send a baby home with all the necessities needed, a baby that previously had nothing  - what a huge blessing, thank you. Your donation arrived just in the nick of time for that little one!”  It is thank you letters like that, inspiring and motivating hearts and hands, that confirm the holy work we do for God.

Our hearts are full, we can never express enough gratitude for Ray Cox and his continuing love and help for the babies, done in memorium of our beloved Debbie.  Usually, when someone passes, we say ‘rest in peace’, but we know Debbie – she is very very busy happily engaged in her calling as an angel helping everyone where ever she can.  May we all live up to her standards and be happy in the life that God has given us.

If you are struggling and suffering and need a blessing, take a leaf from Debbie’s book and reach out to bless others.  Debbie struggled with the cancer that finally took her life, but she lived life to the fullest and enriched the lives of all she came in contact with. That is the key – forget yourself and give your troubles to God (he wants you to and he is up 24/7 anyway) and after you have helped others and returned to your own troubles, you will find they are a lot less and easier to manage.

God bless you Ray – and God bless Debbie – we know you are there helping in the best way possible.

Love and hugs

Carol Green
President
Relief Share
info@ReliefShare.org

Quick and easy baby booties pattern - knit

This darling Relief Share baby booties knitting pattern is great for beginners and experts alike.  (Picture compliments of Wendy).

Knitting needles: size 5 or 6, depending on how tightly you knit.

Gauge: 8 stitches per inch. Use baby yarn.

Size given for small (med, lg)

Cast on 36 (40,44) stitches.  Work in garter stitch (knit all rows) for 12 rows.

Next row: Knit 16 (18, 20) stitches.  Knit next two stitches together (k2tog), slip one stitch from one needle to the other without knitting it (slst), then knit the next stitch and pick up the slipped stitch in front of it and pass it over the knitted stitch (psso), then knit to the end of the row.

Next row: Purl 15 (17, 19) stitches. Purl 2 stitches together (p2tog), then purl the next two stitches together (p2tog), purl to end of row.

Next row: Knit 14 (16, 18) sts. K2tog, slst, psso (see above for the meaning of the abbreviations), then knit to end of row.

Next row: Purl 13 (15, 17), p2tog, p2tog, p to end of row. Continue this way decreasing 2 sts each row until 24 (28, 32) sts remain on needle as follows:

Next row: K 12 (14, 16), k2tog, slst, psso, knit to end of row.

Next row: P 11 (13, 15), p2tog, p2tog, p to end of row.

Next row: k1, (yarn over, k2tog), continue to end of row.  Knit next 6 rows and bind off LOOSELY.

With a crochet hook, chain 80 to make the tie (not show in picture), and run through the eyelet row.  Sew up back and bottom of booties. Ta da!

Have fun knitting up a bunch and pop them into a package to send to Relief Share, 6078 Lundy Rd, Houston, MO 65483-2225 to keep the sick and needy babies tootsies warm in hospital and in the shelters.

Lovely blanket and comfort ball

The babies in hospital and children at the shelters love these soft comforting lovey blankets and balls that our ReliefShare.org volunteers make. They love the balls so much that we call them ‘Comfort Balls”.

The blankets are made of soft material – usually 12″ square. One side is polar fleece or flannel and the other minky or fuzzy microfleece – any kind of material can be used as long as it is washable and soft – we’ve even used satin on one side – babies love soft material. Around the edge are loops of knitted i-cord that are sewn securelyl so toys can be attached to the loops or the blanket can be hung on an IV pole for distraction when the medical staff need to work on the child. The babies and children love to play with the loops as well. That’s what makes the blanket fun!

The knitted ball is a huge hit with all ages, there are times the volunteers play with the balls more than the children do. The balls are knitted in 6 strips that measure 8″ long by 2″ wide. (note: yes, the strips can be crocheted as well and so can the icord) For most sport or worsted weight yarn, that means 15 stitches by 50 stitches but you have to use a ruler and adjust the number of stitches as you use other yarn to make the balls. After the strips are knitted, the ball is woven together.

The first attempt at assembling the ball is usually a challenge but if you stick with it, something clicks and then you can assemble the balls with no problem.

The pattern for the knitted ball is found on ravelry.com – just type in ‘knitted ball’ in the search on their website and it pops right up.

Use your scraps of yarn to make comfort balls for all your grandchildren, children, kids at church and local hospital and if you have some left over, we would love it if you would like to send them to us to donate out.

Assembling the balls is not for the faint at heart. If you simply want to knit the strips and send them to us for our volunteers to assemble, that would be wonderful. You can even clean out your yarn stash for a good cause, pop your donation into a box and address it to Relief Share, 6078 Lundy Rd, Houston, MO 65483-2225 and we will be happy to knit up the balls and icord for the lovey blankets.

All donations are tax deductible and any and all donations are very welcome. There are no restrictions on what you can send, we make every donation count, no matter what it is.

Any type of yarn will do and any color. Children love lots of color and texture.

The lovey blankets are very easy to assemble as well, sew on the icord – or if you don’t have icord, you can sew on medium and wide width ribbon that is 4″ long and doubled around the edge of the blanket. Sandwich the ribbon inside the two pieces of fabric that are right sides together and sew 1/4″ to 1/2″ seam, leaving a place to turn the blanket right side out. Turn the blanket right side out and sew 1/2″ from the edge all the way around to make sure the icord or ribbon stays in place securely. Ta da! You have created a darling lovey blanket for a little one.

Questions? Email us at info@ReliefShare.org we’d love to hear from you or simply post a reply under this blog post! Happy knitting and sewing.

Add fun fur and a top knot to make a hat special. It may be the only hat the sick or needy receive. Show them your love by making it special.

Do you like to make hats?

ReliefShare.org volunteers love to makes hats.  Baby hats, chemo hats, hats to keep families warm in cold weather, hats to brighten and cheer and bless, hats knitted, sewn and crocheted with love and prayers. We make them at home, on the road as we travel, at church or visiting with friends. You can make them with us for the sick and needy.  Send them to us to distribute or donate to your favorite charity locally.

When knitting hats, we use soft yarn, like Love that Yarn from Hobby Lobby, Bernat, Lion Brand or Caron Simply Soft – something gentle to the skin and easy to wash (yes, that usually means acrylic so hospitals can put it in the washer and dryer). We also use wool, alpaca and cotton for hats if they are going to individuals who are willing to hand wash them.

The men like the grey ones we do with a black stripe or two, blue shades or the camo yarn hats.  Red Heart makes Softee yarn and Red Heart kids yarn that is soft and wonderful. Some of the super saver yarns, depending on color are okay but some are rough, close your eyes and run your hands over the yarn. The touch test is the best way to tell.

Ladies like it when we put a crocheted flower on the hat and seem to prefer pink or pastel. Kids love lots of color. Babies look cute in anything pastel or colorful, but then again, babies look cute in anything

We usually use size 7 circular needles with worsted weight yarn, but you can use your favorite yarn and needles.

With circular needles or double pointed needles, cast on 80 sts (depending on how large you want the hat to be and the kind of yarn you are using you can cast on 70 or 80).  We love using a long tail cast on as it provides and nice even stretchy base to knit from.  There is nothing more disappointing in spending the time to knit a wonderful hat and find that it won’t stretch over the head (we lovingly call those kind of hats ‘cast iron cuties” and they wind up getting redone or used for doll clothing if the size is right – nothing is ever wasted).

Join in the round, placing a stitch marker on first stitch to mark beginning of round.

Knit for approximately 7 inches then begin decreasing.

Row 1. Knit 8, knit 2 together (repeat to end of row. Row should end with last 2 sts knit together).
Row 2. Knit all sts.
Row 3. Knit 7, knit 2 together (repeat to end of row. Row should end with last 2 sts knit together).
Row 4. Knit all sts.
Row 5. Knit 6, knit 2 together (repeat to end of row. Row should end with last 2 sts knit together).
Row 6. Knit all sts.
Row 7. Knit 5, knit 2 together (repeat to end of row. Row should end with last 2 sts knit together).
Row 8. Knit all sts.

Continue in this manner, switching to double pointed needle (DPN) when it gets too small for the circular needles – or use the magic loop technique if using circulars to finish, until only 8 stitches remain. Cut or break yarn leaving a long tail to thread through the remaining 8 stitches. Tighten the bottom and secure yarn by weaving it up into the inside of the bag a bit until you feel it is secure and won’t come out.

Weave in any ends ( if you choose to do stripes you will have lots of them) and ta-da! All done Sometimes we do an icord knot finish and sometimes an icord loop finish.  Details can make the hat special for the recipient.

Note: Childrens hats are the same pattern as the adult but cast on only 60 for babies or 70 for toddlers/children. Knit for 4 1/2″ for babies and 5 1/2″ for kids then decrease. Women with small heads you can knit for 6 1/2″ instead of 7, depending on how much of a self rolled brim you want the hat to have.

Feel free to knit, sew, felt, craft or crochet hats of all colors and sizes  to donate to charity.  Our address is Relief Share, 6078 Lundy Rd, Houston, MO 65483-2225.  All donations are tax deductible and we are happy to send a thank you letter and tax paperwork to acknowledge your donation.