Kohl's Cares!

Kohl's employee, Sara Bauer, rallied the troops (in this case, fellow Kohl's employees and a neighbor) to support the Minnesota Chapter of ConKerr Cancer. They joined the sewing event in Shakopee on September 14th.  These fabulous volunteers said they plan to continue to make pillowcases throughout the year! 

Left to right:  Liz, Kim, Sue, Laurie, and Sara

 

Sara, is what I call a "super supporter" of the pillowcase effort.  Besides this event she participated in June to make cases for victims of the Oklahoma tornados.  She has also spread the word about ConKerr Cancer and recruited several volunteers. 

 

Earlier this year, Sara and another Kohl's employee, sewed with students, and teacher Laurie Sabel, at St.Croix Falls High School in St.Croix Falls, WI. 

 

 

 We are so lucky to have the help of Kohl's employees!  Thank you!!!

 

 

Shakopee Sewing Event

Last year's event total of 400 cases was a big number to beat, but we did it! 

Volunteers made 166 pillowcases during the four hour sewing event.  Add those to the 306 completed cases delivered to the event for a total of 472 cases!

 

Sewing Event in Finland, Minnesota

Results from the first sewing event during our fourth annual Miles of Pillowcase Smiles Campaign are in - 420 pillowcases!  WAY TO GO LADIES!

Here are some pictures of the sewing event in Finland, Minnesota.  Looks like a lot of sewing and a lot of smiles!

This volunteer learned to sew after 60.  She sewed her very first pillowcase at the event!

 

 

 

Small group and BIG results!

In April, Denise from Jackson, Minnesota organized a sewing event. When Denise has an event it means A LOT OF PILLOWCASES!  A group of 10-12 people sewed; coming and going from about 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.  Some new, some regulars.  From age 13 to over 80.   Denise's niece was the 13 year old and used a serger for the first time.  She caught on quickly and there was no stopping her!  The group completed sewing and packaging 278 pillowcases! 

From Denise:  "I spoke to a family who has benefited from the pillowcases.  The little girl is in treatment for leukemia, about 6 - 7 years old. Her sister is 12 and is 'using' one of her sisters.  The older sister has also given some speeches to Red Cross leaders regarding blood donation as that helped to save her sister.  The mom said it really does make a difference and it is so nice to look back at photos with a cheerful pillowcase!  This family lives in our area and the girls go to school about 15 minutes away from here. Very nice to hear someone close by has appreciated the pillowcases."

Here are some pictures from the event.  Keep up the great work!

 

Ronald McDonald House - Visit #2

The Ronald McDonald House (RMH) was full of energy during our last visit.  During our sewing events I'm not sure who is entertained more, the kids or us! 

Above, Christina helped Carter make a super colorful pillowcase.  Christina has a vibrant personality and says just the right thing to get the kids to smile and giggle while sewing.  

There are some kids who prefer to pick from totes of premade pillowcases we bring with us to each sewing event.  Other kids like Evelyn (below), can't make enough!  Evelyn was asked how many pillowcases she made and in this photo she was indicating three or four.  (I'm pretty sure Amy was helping Evelyn make her fifth!) 

 

We met Karee Jo (below) at our last sewing event at the RMH.  At that event she made several pillowcases to give to special people in her life.  Karee Jo's mom sent a picture of Karee Jo sewing to friends at home in North Dakota.  Low and behold, their friends gave Karee Jo her very own sewing machine and a quilt group gave her some fabric.  When we arrived at the RMH Karee Jo was anxiously waiting for our group to show her how to use her sewing machine. Volunteers, Amy and Tessa, give Karee Jo and her mom a sewing machine review.  Before the night was over Tessa had given Karee Jo a pillowcase refresher course and Karee Jo was on her pillowcase way! 

 

 As we packed up, Karee Jo disappeared into the kitchen to make Monster cookies.  We were treated to some fresh-out-of-the-oven cookies before we left.  Yum-yum - the cookies were YUMMY!    This recipe is too good not to share:

Ronald McDonald House Monster Cookies

(This makes a LARGE batch.  You can cut it down to the batch size you want.)

1 dozen eggs

2 lbs brown sugar

4 cups white sugar

1 TBSP vanilla

1 TBSP white syrup

8 tsp baking soda

1 lb butter

3 lbs peanut butter (3 cups)

18 cups old fashioned oats

 

Desired amount of choc chips and M & M's

Bake @ 350 for 10-12 minutes

 

To Oklahoma with Love from Minnesota

Tornadoes whipped through Oklahoma May 31st.  ConKerr Cancer volunteers responded by sending a little comfort to the victims. 

 

 

 

 

Back row:  Carolyn, Becky, Michelle, Sara, Wendy, Hannah, Sandie, Bennett

Front row:  Maddie, Deb, Sue, Stephanie, Linda

Ronald McDonald House - Minneapolis

ConKerr volunteers recently had a blast at the first Ronald McDonald House sewing event! 




When she browsed a variety of pillowcase kits Destiny immediately knew she wanted to sew a Dora pillowcase.  Amy was entertained by Destiny's lively personality while she helped her make the Dora pillowcase.  Destiny was very thoughtful. She made a couple pillowcases for her Ronald McDonald House friends who weren't able to join the fun. 

 

Gabriel sewed a Cars pillowcase and then found plenty of ways to entertain himself and us! 
















He loved to put the pillowcase over his head.  (Yes, we watched him very closely!)  We also saw him scooting around the house using the pillowcase to carry his toys.  This little guy had a lot of energy!

What a little Sweetie!

 Tuesday nights are craft nights at the Ronald McDonald House.  Little did we know we would have such great help - therapy dogs!  Sandwiched between two therapy dogs, Wendy helped Karee Jo sew her first pillowcase.  Karee Jo loves craft nights!  Gopher, the dog on the left, sits with Karee Jo each night she works on her crafts.  Karee Jo was the Pillowcase Queen!  She made several cases, as well as picked out cases from pillowcases made and donated by Minnesota volunteers.  She very carefully picked out the fabric to fit the personalities of her friends and family members. 

 

Below, MacKenzie displayed the beautiful pink and green pillowcase she made.  MacKenzie was taking a break from studying.  And, yes, that's Karee Jo working on another pillowcase, on another sewing machine, with another volunteer, Christina!  Standing in the back are University of Minnesota students who volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House, (from left to right) Mary Kate, Hannah, and Alex. 

We hope to see Mary Kate, Hannah, and Alex making pillowcases for ConKerr Cancer soon!

 

We hope to sew at the Ronald McDonald House again soon.  Thanks to Amy, Wendy, Christina, Becky, and Meri for volunteering. And, a special thanks to Amy for organizing the event!

 

 

Success in 2012!

3054 pillowcases made their way to Minnesota Hospitals in 2012!  Thanks to all of the wonderful volunteers for making ConKerr Cancer such a huge success.

Take a look at what has been happening in the last months of 2012.

Thanks to Sue and Jeannette of Quilt Yourself for their support of ConKerr Cancer over the years. I still remember the first (crazy) sewing event Quilt Yourself hosted. We had volunteers running to local quilt stores for more fabric. We had sewers anxiously waiting for fabric to be cut. We had volunteers coming and going all day. Through all of the chaos we brought into their shop, Sue and Jeannette took it all in stride. Thank you, Sue and Jeannette, for helping Bennett kick off the Minnesota Chapter of ConKerr Cancer in 2010. We wouldn't have been this successful without you!

Counting the 265 pillowcases brought in, we hit 400 pillowcases for the day!! 

 
 
We held a sewing day at the University of Minnesota Children's Hospital.  This event showed us that pillowcases are for everyone!  In addition to patients, we had a group of fun ladies, who were waiting for a new arrival to their family, stop by and sew with us:

 

 
A Thank You from Children's Hospital in Minneapolis for our recent delivery of pillowcases:

 

 

Our hearts went out to the families and friends of Sandy Hook Elementary School.  ConKerr Cancer volunteers across the country sent pillowcases to the kiddos in Newton, Connecticut.  Here is our box of love:

 

 

Last but not least, our very own Becky Jensen was selected as a finalist for the Minnesota Quarterback Award. 

Becky has volunteered for ConKerr Cancer since 2009.  She donated pillowcases to Wisconsin until the Minnesota Chapter started in 2010.  Since 2010 she has donated 565 pillowcases.  Becky has volunteered at every University of Minnesota Amplatz Hospital sewing event.  Congratulations to Becky!! Thanks for your dedication to ConKerr Cancer!! 

 

 

Can't wait to see what we can accomplish in 2013!!  Happy New Year!!!

 

 

Over A Mile of Pillowcase Smiles!

Those who can, do; Those who can do more, volunteer.  ~Author unknown

During the month of September people east, west, south, and "up north" sewed, sewed, and sewed some more.   In September Minnesota volunteers made 2,224 pillowcases!  Here are a few examples of contributions that added up to OVER a Mile of Pillowcase Smiles.

---  Many sewed a pillowcase (or a few) and mailed them to me. 
---  Many sewed a pillowcase (or a few) and brought them to our drop-off sites.
---  A few organized sewing events.
---  A few cut fabric for the sewing events.
---  Many attended sewing events. 
---  Many ironed and packaged pillowcases.
---  Many spread the word about ConKerr Cancer.
---  Many donated fabric and/or money.

Thank you to everyone who helped us make our goal of a Mile of Pillowcase Smiles!!! 

When Amy Charpentier heard we were a little short of our mile goal she decided to take on the challenge.  I am still wondering how she pulled off such a fantastic weekend in such short notice and with such style!

Amy invited a bunch of friends to her house for a pillowcase marathon.  She planned non-stop sewing from Saturday morning until Sunday night.  (Okay, maybe she got a few hours of sleep.)  Amy hung some pillowcases outside so no one would miss her house.

 

Once inside there was a lot (and I mean a lot) of fabric cut and ready to sew.

 

A chart of stickers showed the progress throughout the marathon.

A tree of pillowcase happiness hung from the ceiling.

Fabulous friends and family helped throughout the sewing event.

 

(Amy is above - second from the left.  Amy's daughter, Tessa, is on the right.)

 

Many friends showed up to help cut, sew, fold, iron, package, etc for hours and hours. The last day of her marathon happened to be the last day of September.  In the evening of the 30th I recieved a text from Amy, "Will we make a mile?  We can make more if we need them."  I couldn't believe it! 

 

Amy and her family and friends made 338 pillowcases!!