Today, a few good causes to share with you kind readers. And I really mean that - I continue to interact with the kindest of people through this blog. I recently got an email from Kelly asking if I would share information about a fundraiser she and her family are doing to help them adopt two little girls with Down Syndrome from another country.
This request was immediately near and dear to my heart. My husband has two brothers (not twins and not adopted) who have Down Syndrome. They are such a blessing in our family! On top of that, our neighbors recently adopted a sweetheart with Down Syndrome from this same country. She is an angel and we love having her in our neighborhood and congregation. We saw first hand the cost it takes to go through the legal process to adopt one of these angels. Clearly it is not something that everyone can do, but I have high admiration for those who do.
Not knowing my own experience having family members and neighbors with Down Syndrome, Kelly asked if I would mention the fundraiser her family is doing to help them with the enormous costs to give these girls a family. (We're talking 10's of $1,000's.) One such fundraiser is to make a quilt block along with a financial contribution to their cause. If you would like to contribute, please visit the Grove's Where Love Resides blog. You can also read more about their girls and their experiences at their family blog.
And for further incentive to help this family, there are fabric prizes involved for those who contribute a quilt block and donation, thanks to some lovely sponsors. The above fat quarter pack of new collection, A Stitch in Color from Fresh Squeezed Fabrics.
A Tender the Earth charm pack from Green Fairy Quilts
And two Always and Forever charm packs + accompanying yardage
from Burgundy Buttons.
I am kicking in some Robert Kaufman vintage Darlene Zimmerman charm packs as well as some other goodies.
On top of that I will give away a free pattern of your choice from my pattern shop to anyone who makes any financial contribution to the Grove family fundraiser here or here. After you've contributed email me at amy(at)diaryofaquilter.com and let me know which pattern you choose.
And now, one more special cause - which may have more universal application. As you may know, February is Women's Heart Health Awareness month. Remember all those celebrities who wear red designer dresses and then auction them off to raise funds to help with heart-health awareness? Well it's like that, only with out the designer dresses. Instead you get to make yourself a quilt. Much more within my realm.
Leah, of Burgundy Buttons, has created a free Block of the Month and Blog Hop called Sew Red for Women to help raise awareness for Heart Disease among women - a disease that has affected her own family.
This blog hop will feature a different block tutorial from a different blogger each month. The Block of the Month kicks off February 3 - Wear Red Day - at Burgundy Buttons. On the 3rd of each of the 12 months following there will be a new free tutorial at these different blogs:
Blocks will be made from fabrics from the Chemistry collection by Cosmo Cricket. Kits with these fabrics will be available at Burgundy Buttons or you can use whatever fabrics you've got in your stash under your bed!
Basically - a fun, free Block of the Month quilt with a gentle reminder to take good care of your heart. Because I know what sweet ones you have.
bethanndodd
I am so touched by the love your family has for one another and have much admiration for Kelly & your neighbors for opening their hearts & homes to such angels. I will for sure be checking out Kelly's blog. Thank you for passing this information along. Smiles~Beth
Erin
Thank you for posting about both of these causes. I have great friends going through the adoption process and it is so difficult. Much more difficult than I could have ever imagined. <br /><br />I am going to need to participate in the quilt along, because my mother died just over two years ago at the age of 60 from heart disease. It strikes a nerve, because for years she had told doctors
Amy Gibson
What an inspiring post! I'm popping over to their blog right now to check out the details on making a block and donating. So refreshing to see a blog post focus on using our energy and talents to help those who really need it!!! Well done.
Katy Cameron
What a great set of causes! I shall investigate donating after payday...
Michele
Thank you so much for being kind and sharing in the wish to give kids a forever family. Every child should have their own forever family. And adoption is very close to my heart since both of my kids are adopted. I'm heading on over to read her blog and will definitely help out. How can I not?
TammyW
Thank you for mentioning both of these causes. As a parent of a child with Down Syndrome it warms my heart to see people support families like ours. We are also adoptive parents of a typical child so I also have a soft spot for adoption. Our family is supportive of heart health awareness since my son had open heart surgery at age 3 months old and both of my maternal grandparents have hereditary
Erin
What a wonderful post, I will be sure to click over and get more information on both of those causes!