Page
1:
* Childrens Hospital NICU
* Donations
* Crazy for Garage Sales?
Page
2:
* Sharing Thanks
* Special Thanks
* Mile-A-Minute Quilt Days
Page
3:
* Kids
Rule!
* Thanks for the Donations
* Passport Pouch Fundraiser
Page
4:
* Delivering
Baby Items
* 5-Country Comparison on Volunteerism
* Magnolia Hill Connection
* Special Request for Knitters and Crocheters
* Springtime Blessings
Page 5:
* Help Wanted
* Community Baby Shower
* Stain Removal Tips
* Stuffed Toy Tips
* Drawstring Gown Safety Tips
Page
6:
* Rochester
Work Group
*Board Members
Page
7:
* Metro
Area Work Groups
Help
Wanted
You don’t have to sew, knit or crochet to volunteer! We’re looking for help in these areas:
- Cutting favorite sewing patterns from plexiglass.
- Assembling “kits” for others to sew (matching and cutting fabrics).
- Assembling, storing and coordinating delivery of bundles and other packages in the metro area.
- Donations of flannel, sheet fabric (2 yard lengths), and quilting fabric.
- Accounting guidance – if you are an accountant and are familiar with non-profit accounting and reporting requirements, we could use your advice as we set up our accounting procedures. In the future, we’d also appreciate help with annual reporting requirements.
- Help with publicity, getting the word out about what we do, by writing, speaking, or posting fliers.
- Help developing an orientation tool for new and prospective volunteers in the Rochester area.
- Work Group Coordinators – we’d like to establish more work groups around the metro area, particularly in the western suburbs. Coordinators organize monthly meetings, accept donations of fabric and other supplies, distribute supplies, offer support or training to volunteers, and complete monthly reports.
- Fundraising and Donations Coordinator - We are looking for someone who could coordinate fundraising efforts and seek donations of goods and services for Bundles of Love. Experience in fundraising or soliciting donations is a plus, and enthusiasm and a willingness to network are an absolute requirement!
- Sewing Instructors are needed to teach basic sewing skills to expectant mothers. Students are taught to make receiving blankets and quilts for their babies. Knowledge of Spanish is a plus, but not required as most students and all staff are bilingual. The class currently meets Monday from 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. in West St. Paul.
- Scrapbooking Enthusiasts – We’re looking for one or more “scrapbookers” to put their creativity to work in a Bundles of Love scrapbook. This book would display thank you notes, photos, and other mementos and could be used to show others what we do.
If you can help in any of these areas, please contact your area work coordinator or Mary Jo at 952-431-2867 or e-mail her at info@bundlesoflove.org.
Community Baby Shower
We’ve been invited by a metro-area March of Dimes to donate hats and mittens for a Community Baby Shower. The goal is to provide about fifty sets of these items to help babies ward off the cold Minnesota winter.
Volunteers are needed to make the infant hat and mitten sets, newborn to 9 month sizes. The sets may be knitted, crocheted, or sewn. If possible, please turn in your donations by the end of August.
Stain Removal Tip
Here’s an easy way to remove formula or blood stains: Simply wet the stain and sprinkle on meat tenderizer. Rub it in, wait a moment, and toss it in the wash. This also works wonders on those yellow stains that mysteriously appear on baby clothes.
Drawstring Gown Safety Tips
Drawstring gowns for newborns are a much-appreciated part of our layettes, because they are easy to put on and make changing diapers quick. However, babies’ safety is of the highest importance, so if you make a drawstring gown, please do one of the following:
- After threading the drawstring through the casing, create a loop by stitching the ends securely together so the drawstring will not come out of the casing.
- If you prefer a string that can be tied, make it only as long as needed and tack the string to the gown in the casing opposite the drawstring opening.
Stuffed Toy Tips
We like to include a small stuffed toy in each infant bundle we pack. These cuddly toys are easy to make – simply use basic animal shapes, such as those you find with cookie cutters or children’s coloring books.
Stuffing the animals can be a lot of fun for even the youngest of kids! Here are a few tips:
- For safety purposes, please do not use buttons, but use a permanent marker or embroider the details.
- Fiberfill is far better than foam for these toys. Foam breaks down and leaves a lot of dust, and is not hypo-allergenic. Fiberfill is also less expensive.
- If you wish to tie a ribbon around the toy animal’s neck, please keep it short and tack it down to prevent danger to the baby.
- For small toys, try placing your fabric pieces right-sides together, trace the pattern on one piece and sew the two sides together before cutting, leaving a small opening for turning and stuffing.
- Some patterns are available at the Care-Wear web-site: http://www.hood.edu/carewear/patterns
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