Sunshine Linus Inc.: April 2014

Our March 31st gathering was very well attended and the weather though sunny was very humid. We are very grateful for the fans that kept us cool throughout the day.

With our Distribution Coordinator Claire absent, Rose led a number of members through the distribution process and we managed to get everything that had been brought to the meeting distributed by days end. Congratulations girls on a job well done.

Some of the wonderful quilts and other comforts
made by enthusiastic members this month.

We welcomed two new members, Kathy and Jan to our team and I think they were surprised at how much we get done in one day. The new format for setting up the tables is working very well, and we seem to be much more organised and a little less chaotic, with so much going on.

The distribution of our items is a very important component to what we do for the community on the Sunshine Coast. There's no point in making all these wonderful comforts without the ability to get them to where they're most needed. Here's where our membership shines above all else. We have girls who travel from Gympie who, on their return take items to Cooroy and Yandina. We have girls that come from Noosa who drop things into Tewantin and surrounds.

There are members from the central part of the coast who will deliver to anywhere on the coast and we also have members who are living in the Glass House Mountains who very happily offer to deliver to the many organisations that receive our items.

Without the generosity and unselfish donation of their time and petrol, it would be very difficult to get the items to their final destination. Thank you to all members who help to deliver our items to the community. It is very much appreciated.

It is amazing how many members are beavering away in their homes, busily making drainage bags, touchy feely quilts, bed quilts and all manner of comforts for people in need.

What is so amazing about this is that these members rarely attend a gathering - instead they pass their creations to someone who is attending for them. So we don't often get the opportunity to thank these hard workers.

On Monday, our member Pat arrived early in the morning with her dozen or so quilts that she has been making over the past few months. It was a delight to meet Pat and see at close quarters these lovely quilts.

A quilt made by Pat

Pat's quilt of Teddies

A few meetings ago we met Bevan and Maureen who spoke to the group about their son Keiren and two other young men who were keenly anticipating the state government to approve care packages so that they could move into an already purpose built and furnished home.

Well, we have received the happiest news that the funding is to be approved in June which means the boys will be in their new home soon after. We have already given Keiren his new quilt, we will be finding one for each of the boys and the carers in the next few weeks. Great news guys!

A thank you plaque from the students at Caboolture Special School

Above is a beautiful fabric wall hanging that was presented to say Thank You to Sunshine Linus on the Quilt presentation day at Caboolture Special School a few weeks ago. It's a beautiful piece of art and has inspired us to consider making similar wall hangings for the sensory needs of some patients of our nursing homes that we help.

Jan from Chinchilla quilts up a storm!

We have some wonderful "country" quilters who are making the most amazing quilts and above is a very good example. Jan from Chinchilla made this quilt top using scraps of fabric that we sent her recently. The patterns are paper pieced and looks so effective. Well done Jan, your work is fabulous.

A touchy feely by Margaret

One of our "quiet achievers" is Margaret who brought 10 touchy feely quilts she made during the month. What's so incredible is that Margaret used the instructions we have posted on this blog to create these wonderful quilts. Margaret, your sewing is very precise and will captivate and calm any patient who is lucky to receive this quilt. Well done Margaret.

More beautifully ha
handmade PJ's for little people

We always welcome any wool that the community donate to Sunshine Linus. There are many items of comforts that we make for our community including warm knitted socks and fingerless mittens for those renal patients who undertake dialysis sometimes up to three times a week.

Some knitted socks and fingerless mittens

for Renal patients

Occasionally we receive off-cuts from mattress makers. We tidy these up and offer them to primary schools for their students to sit on during assemblies or parade, sometimes on concrete. We have had some great feedback from schools appreciating the donation of these Sit Upons!

Sit Upons for Chancellor State School

Our Blankets of Love members have made an outstanding contribution to this part of our caring for the community. We have been asked to support SANDS (Miscarriage, Still Birth and near Birth death Support) and major maternity hospitals with Bereavement Packages.

These consist of a little bereavement gown, a blanket of love to wrap the child, a bonnet and booties. These items are offered to the grieving parents at the tragic time of loss. Our ladies are making the most beautiful items for this need and we congratulate them wholeheartedly on their efforts.

The need is great sadly, and we are reaching out to many maternity wards throughout Queensland.