One generation’s support and love, ushering in the next generation
by Joan Perry | Contributing Writer
What would be the collective noun for a group of loving grandmothers?
Google suggested a Celebration, Gladness, Wisdom, Blossoming, Glamor, or a Tapestry of Grandmothers. The members of this particular group aren’t necessarily grandmothers by definition, but they were a diverse Tapestry (I like that one) of loving women from the Waring Senior Center’s Sew Much Fun Sewing Circle who took on the project of sewing quilts for the babies in the Newborn Intensive Care at Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital.
Brenda Williams invited me to join the presentation to the hospital staff. I walked into a joyful room full of happy chatter and 90 vibrantly colored baby quilts spread out for the nursing staff to admire and receive.
Chaya Johnston, Clinical Manager of the Special Care Nursery & Lactation Department, described herself as, “Overwhelmed by the generosity and the time the ladies took for our precious babies.” The staff actually spends time, rummaging through donated quilts to find the one best suited to a particular baby’s personality.
For quilter Linda Chiappone it was a personal project. Two years ago, a family member had a baby born early in a hospital in Cincinnati. The little one spent two-and-a-half months in the hospital. Linda was so grateful for the loving care given by the staff, this seemed a meaningful way to give back. With an initial goal of sewing three quilts, she ended up making 12.
West Ashley resident and retired Interpreter for Charleston County School District, Candace Brace had made a quilt for each grandchild so it was a perfect project for her. She most enjoyed picking out the right fabric patterns and made five of the quilts. Candace welcomes new members of all skill levels to join the sewing group at the Waring Center.
Hospital staff roamed the room, picking up quilts to examine the detailed stitching, murmuring in admiration. Ally Shealy, just back to work after her own maternity leave, found herself emotional at the gift the ladies were giving. Kirsten Pasiecznik said, “We know how much this will mean to each family, to be thought of with such kindness by our community. We are so grateful.”
Fabric isn’t cheap, and a project of this scale can empty even a dedicated quilter’s hoard. Five Eighth Seams fabric store on Raul Wallenburg stepped up and donated $1,000 worth of fabric to support the program.
Receiving the quilts, Carla Johnston, Manager, Volunteer Services at Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital said, “The beauty of this project, for me, was the ability to be part of something where the passion and creativity of our seniors will be a gift to the babies in the special care nursery. One generation’s support and love is ushering in the next generation.”
For more information on programs offered at the Waring Senior Center, visit: www.lowcountryseniorcenter.com/waring-senior-center/
Happy Holidays to all. Stay healthy my friends, and wave at me as I wander. Send ideas for upcoming wanderings to: westashleywanderer@gmail.com.
