More details on 'calling all quilters'

Thank you so much for your overwhelming desire to help the little ones in need at the Baltimore headstart program.

Several of you have asked about dates? Since none of the quilts will be distributed until there are enough for everyone (55), let's set a goal date of March 31st. From the responses I have been receiving I think we can meet the goal of 55 by that time. Remember, all quilts received after the initial distribution will be given to new children as they enter the program.

Here are the needs of the children, as provided by the program director:

28 quilts for boys, ages 0 to 3

24 quilts for girls, ages 0 to 3

3 gender neutral quilts, for three sick little ones coming into the program, gender unknown at this point.

Sizes...the program director asked for small quilts, so I'm thinking anything from 32" x 36" to crib size 50" x 53", and anything in between these sizes.

When I told Melissa of your immediate support, she was overwhelmed with gratitude. Here's a photo of her in class, carrying 20L of water, which many families have to carry over 5K to have to clean water on a daily basis. She said she was having a hard time toting that container in the classroom, much less 5 kilometers.

Thank you again for your amazing and loving support!

Cherri

Comments

[Sequana]

I'll be able to get at least one small quilt out right on that date. I need to wait for $$ for postage. :(

Such a nice thing you're doing.

[KatieQ]

Cherri do I understand your post to mean that there are families in Baltimore that do not have clean water where they live and must get it from the Head Start program?

[Angela]

Just a thought---don't we need somehow to know who's making which gender so you don't end up with 50 of one gender and 10 of the other? Not trying to complicate but would hate it if it ended up that way....

[Sarah S]

I have a boy quilt that has been looking for a home, and now I know where to send it! Thanks!

[two.hippos]

I've got a quilt for a girl to send.

[Kenna]

Does it matter what they are made of? I have several minkee and fleece quilts that are soft and warm that I would be willing to send....they are mostly girl or gender neutral, but they are warm and soft!

[Dianne Ritter]

Cherri Do I understand correctly? There are people in Baltimore who, in order to have access to clean potable water, are having to carry bottled water 5 miles?

[Gayne Barlow-Kemper]

Dear quilters,
You are all absolutely wonderful folks to send us some of the most beautiful baby quilts I have seen. It is so exciting to see them flowing into the Center. Box after box of wonderful handmade quilts. To answer a few questions; one, our parents are not carrying water to their homes. They all have Baltimore City running water. However, they are all Early Head Start participants which means that they are all living at or below the Federal poverty level. So although they have running water in their homes, none of them has the luxury of having a beautiful handmade quilt.
Two,Our program emphasizes early literacy, helping both the parent and the infant and toddler feel comfortable with and love books. We help to create a "cozy corner" in each of our children's homes. This Cozy corner consists of a blanket (now a handmade quilt) and a book. Throughout the year we bring other books to supplement the corner. As the year(s) pass, the cozy corner becomes the infant/toddler "library". A place they go to in order to feel comfy and warm and enjoy a book. ( of course some infants chew their books, but that is ok, as long as they love them)
The quilts you all are making and donating to this cause will truly help our little ones learn to love books and reading. Snuggling up with a warm quilt and a book will be one of their childhood memories, thanks to many of you.
Again, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your quilts are beautiful and will be loved and cherished by our little ones in Southeast Baltimore Early Head Start.
Please be sure to put your names on your boxes, or in them. I am trying to send notes to each person who is donating to us. One wonderful box with two quilts arrived today from Ipswich NY. No name or return address. So thank you Ipswich NY the quilts are gorgeous.
I am new to blogging, so I hope this makes it onto the page. If I can figure out how to do it, I will take some pictures when we give out the quilts and post them so you can see the children receiving your largess.
Again, I thank you all from the bottom of my heart. You do great work, both in the quilting and in donating your hard work. Our parents don't know yet what is being collected for them, but my staff are totally overwhelmed with your generosity. So THANKS
Gayne Barlow-Kemper
Southeast Early Head Start at Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore Maryland