Maddie's Elephant Sew Day

I wanted to share about an amazing Saturday I was honored to be a part of. Many of you are familiar with this already BUT I wanted to share about the story behind this post to give opportunity for more people to get involved in making a difference in the lives of families going through very difficult times.

February 3rd is quickly approaching...It is a day I will never forget and a day that has forever changed so many aspects of my life. 5 year old Madeline Musto was diagnosed with an inoperable brain stem tumor and 5 days later on February 8th, 2012 Madeline went home to heaven. (you can read her story and about her diagnoses DIPG here http://www.maddiesmark.org/maddies-story/) If you aren't already please join me in praying over the next several weeks for this wonderful family as this difficult anniversary of their loss approaches.

In her honor Matt & Erin started a foundation, Maddie's Mark...here is the purpose (from their site):

Maddie’s Mark Foundation is our family’s way of showing the world our Madeline. It is our way of carrying on her legacy for as long as we live and beyond. Our hope is for people to enjoy all the good the world has to offer, to enjoy their 'best days ever'. The goals of the foundation are a reflection of Madeline’s spirit and outlook on life. All support and donations will be going toward these goals:

1. Maddie’s Mark provides ‘best days ever’ for children suffering from major illness, and provides support for their families;
2. Maddie’s Mark actively encourages child enrichment, through financial grants to improve public and private entertainment, educational and athletic facilities for children - including schools, parks, playgrounds, and theatres; and,
3. We honor Madeline’s legacy and love of learning through a scholarship program, to provide meaningful and significant financial assistance to remarkable young women.

You can read more about the foundation and how you can help by going to http://www.maddiesmark.org . They have done a variety of fundraisers from a golf tournament, 5K, and a variety of children and family events!!!

One of the ongoing fundraisers is Maddie's Elephants which was started by 2 friends of mine Heather Torn and Wendy Matusic. You can check out Maddie's Elephants here: http://maddieselephants.blogspot.com/ . On the site you can read about why they chose an elephant for this fundraiser! The elephants are available on their site for $20 and I believe they have already sold over 1000 elephants. Many of these elephants have been sewn by these 2 ladies BUT they also have teams of quilters, mom groups and friends all over the place who have had days of creating a whole chunk of "The Herd". 

Heather asked a few months back if we could host a sewing day at Sonrise and day came this past Saturday. It was a wonderful day of sewing, stuffing, cutting and turning. 50 Women (and a few children) came out from all over the surrounding communities to donate their time and talents. I don't know the exact number of elephants BUT it was in the neighborhood of 70 completely finished (25 of which sold that day), another 25 plus that just needed their bottoms sewn and another whole lot that are partially finished!!! 

It was not only a day of successful sewing but a wonderful day with friends and making new friends. I totally forgot my camera (until my husband dropped it near the end....at which point I still forgot to take pics until everyone was gone) I did get a few of a pile of about 40 elephants BUT my friend Sarah shared a few of hers so I could share some from the day with you. 

If you are looking for something for your kiddos or grand kids for Valentines day why not hop onto  http://maddieselephants.blogspot.com/ and order a special Valentine Elephant that is not only cute and cozy BUT the proceeds also go towards the goals and efforts of Maddie's Mark! (Valentine's Elephants must be ordered by February 1st)

Also if you are somewhat local and would like to join us for the next sewing day later this year, leave a comment here or shoot me a facebook message and i will make sure to keep you posted when the time comes (NO SEWING SKILLS REQUIRED)

Thanks to everyone who came out to help or donated supplies. I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of something much bigger than me...Is there something you are a part of in your community that is about helping/serving others OR maybe you can spend some time thinking/praying about how you can get involved in 2013 in something of this nature! We can't do everything BUT we can all do something....