This past Saturday, December 22, Shelwin House and Parkland Victim's Services were presented with hand crafted fabric bags containing age and gender specific items to comfort children who are, for various reasons, no longer in their own homes.
In these bags, the child will find an assortment of helpful items such as toiletries, age specific toys, books, activities, a stuffed animal and a handsome blanket.
Age categories for these bags range from newborn to teen. The Yorkton Women's Ministries, of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, as well as numerous other local community sponsors and supporters have partnered together to make this project a reality.
The "Bags of Love" have been created in hopes of bringing a smile to a child. It is a hug, in this time where their current world is upside down and not making much sense to them.
Although our world experiences tragedy, such as the most recent shooting of school children in Connecticut, it is important to recognize the good that is also taking place.
Here in Yorkton, we have a growing support for this project, Bags of Love, that is sending out a positive message of encouragement. This is a local project which is supported by local community members. This is a project which encourages the involvement of different ages.
A group of students from St. Michael's school became aware of Bags of Love and are exploring ways that they can involve and encourage the support of their fellow students. Not only will these young ladies be participating in the sewing bees that will take place in the new year, but they are developing a web site to heighten community awareness of this positive and encouraging project.
Yesterday, representatives from both Shelwin House and Parkland Victims Services were presented with a collection of these colourful bags to start sharing with the children they work with.
This project is supported entirely by volunteers. Sewing bees will continue in the new year and anyone who has an interest is invited to participate. People of all ages are invited to join in. Sewing skills are helpful for making the bags, but are not necessary for making the blankets.
For those who want to be a part of this project but prefer other options, financial donations are greatly needed and appreciated. Receipts for all monetary donations are provided.
If the personal preference is to donate specific items for each bag, that can be done as well. We encourage you to call Ivy at 783-7891 for specific items that may be needed as they need changes depending on current donations.
We invite our entire community to join in on this very special project. A project where anyone of any age is able to participate in.
