tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7182015.post-22201982713112016322008-04-15T20:09:00.002-05:002008-04-15T20:15:23.694-05:00I work for the Family Protective Services Agency, but I am not directly involved with the Child Protective aspect of our agency. I process invoices and push papers around. People always ask if it's difficult to work here, and I always said no because I really didn't see all the bad stuff. I don't think I could handle some of the things people see in our line of work.<br /><br />I've also felt the need to give something back, in general, to the greater good. I think crafters have generous natures, giving away their labors of love to friends and family, as well as responding to calls for help, prayers, contributions, and hugs when needed. I've knit hats for preemies, sent items to auctions, and done what I could when I had the resources, but no particular cause has ever really resonated with me. I saw people who were passionate about a cause and hoped to find a cause I felt as strongly about. And last week, at work, I found that cause.<br /><br />You may have seen on the news the <a href=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/08/AR2008040801742.html?hpid=topnews>raid of the polygamist compound</a> in Eldorado, TX. Normally this wouldn't have popped up on my radar, except with it being the biggest child removal operation in at least 50 years it has affected FPS personnel statewide. People are scrambling to make sure these women and children are protected, save, and well cared for. I've seen the workload on people that work in close proximity to me double as their support personnel are re-routed to other areas.<br /><br />While discussing this with a co-worker, we talked about how scared and uncertain some of these kids must be and other removals she's witnessed with kids who don't have anything to call their own. This struck a chord with me when thinking of my daughter, who until she was nearly five would not go anywhere without her precious blankie that had been made for her when she was born. As a quilter and as a mother I feel that every child needs a blankie like that, to feel secure in a strange situation.<br /><br />So I would like to provide quilts or blankets to the children that our agency assists that are in difficult situations and might be comforted in knowing someone made a blankie especially for them. This is a big project and I'm hoping for some help from you, if you're reading this and feeling called upon to help like I am. I have a few quilters, knitters and crocheters who are willing to lend a hand here locally but we can't do it alone.<br /><br />Right now we are requesting donations of fabric, batting and thread so we can make quilts for these children. We'll also accept quilt tops, crocheted or knitted afghans, or completed quilts (any size, but 42 x 48 inches makes a nice size for a young child).<br /><br />Depending on the response we get, we'd like to be able to make regular donations to the local Rainbow Room, which provides clothing and personnal items to children that don't have those items. Ultimately we'd like to provide a hand-crafted afghan or quilt to every child that passes through the Rainbow Room, who has just had their life turned upside down, and who just need some comfort and love.<br /><br />If you can spare some supplies, a little of your time, or just want to be involved in any way, please email me (ritabelle73 at yahoo dot com). I'm working through our agency's Rainbow Room Coordinator to find out specifics of ages of children, preferred sizes of blankets, and sheer number of blankets that could be used, but all items sent will be used to support this worthy cause.Retehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16136573707565684549noreply@blogger.com