No Traffic Jams ~ April 2016 We CAN

“There are no traffic jams along the extra mile.” 

~ Roger Staubach

Barbara and Carolyn, setting up journals

 We met at JoAnn's Monday, April 4th at 10:00 in their class room area.  We covered 50 of the Women's Journals, which are given to women when they come into the Women's shelters and will be given as well to Refugees coming into our area. 

Barbara, Carol, Lynn and Paula

The journals are small notebooks that are covered with bright colored paper, making them festive and fun.  Journaling is very healing and helpful as people go through crisis and change.

Barbara and Carol working on the journals.

A few of the finished journals

Barbara, Carol, Lynn, Carolyn and Paula

Carolyn setting up the Birthday Kits

 Each Happy Birthday kit has a birthday cake, birthday card, candles, small toy, birthday banner or birthday decoration.

 We also put together 10 Birthday Kits for the Food and Care Coalition in Provo. 

We went out together for lunch after our few hours of service.  Our next meeting will be on Monday, May 2, 2016.

When We Know . . Then We Can Help ~ March We CAN

"There is a lot that happens around the world we cannot control.  

We cannot stop earthquakes, 

we cannot prevent droughts, 

and we cannot prevent all conflict, 

but when we know where the hungry, the homeless and the sick exist,

then we can help.” 

Jan Schakowsky

The March "We Can"  meeting was held Monday, March 7, 10:00 a.m. at the Spanish Fork JoAnn's store classroom (just for a fun change). JoAnn's lets us use the classroom free of charge and it is just the right size for our group.  

Barbara, Janine and Lynn with the buddy dolls

 We worked on stuffing the hospital buddy dolls that we began in January.  Vila finished sewing all of them and also made the hospital gowns that the dolls wear.  She made 10 dolls and the cute gowns they will wear to the hospital.

Carol and Vila with the hospital gowns for the dolls

Lynn and Susan stuffing the dolls

The finished dolls

 When children receive a doll, they can mark the place on the doll where they are going to have surgery, or put a bandage or cast on the doll, so they can help the dolls to feel better as they heal as well. The dolls will be delivered to Utah Valley Regional Medical Center.

 We also made Easter treat bags for United Way/Food Bank at the Community Action Center in Provo.  

 These go to two children's classes made up of underprivileged kids whose parents are taking a 12 week course to help them break the cycle of poverty. Organizers like to give each child in the children's class a treat bag for major holidays. 

We still had a little more time before going to lunch, so we worked on journals for Hearts Knit Together (serving all battered women's shelters in Utah).  We've made these several times before...they're fun!

We enjoyed a fun lunch together after our service project. 

Spread Love Wherever You Go ~ February We CAN

"Spread love everywhere you go.

Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.” 

~Mother Teresa

Carol with her surprise Valentines from her sweet grands in Cali.

 Monday, February 1st, 2016 we met at Carol's house for Service and a Pot Luck Lunch.  We made Valentines for residents in the local Assisted Living and Care Centers.

RaeLee, Carolyn, Susan and Vila creating messages of care.

 We worked hard to get as many Valentines finished as we needed, when there was a knock on Carol's door.  The Fed Ex man delivered a package from Carol's grand-daughter,McKenna and her family: Grant, Aubrey, Shelley and Hailey.  McKenna and her family all worked together and made 50 Valentines and sent them up for us.  Two of Carol's grand-daughters joined us last year and we missed their cheery company and creative talents ~ but what a lovely surprise they sent to us!

 Every Valentine is unique and special.  We hope when they arrive on their breakfast trays on Valentine's Day, that person feels the love that is being sent with these.

Vila, Susan and Carolyn

We then worked on assembling care kits in purses.

Carolyn and Susan organizing the purse assembly

Carolyn and Vila

  We filled 10 large purses with items to help homeless women.  These were filled with gloves, hats, headbands, neck scarves, lotion, sanitizer, tissues, toothbrush & toothpaste, socks, hand warmers, sanitary supplies, granola bars, fruit snacks, lip balm, body powder, and combs.

RaeLee and Carol working on the Pot Luck lunch.

Carol, Susan, RaeLee and Carolyn

  Happy Valentine's Day ~ Fill the World with Love!