A finish and a plea for help...

Here is my finish for this week... One box of 35 scarves!  My daughter helped me make these simple scarves and we will be making many more in the next few weeks.  These will be going to an Indian Reservation in Wanblee, South Dakota.

Have you ever found out something that just tears you up and you feel that God has put you on a path to make a difference in the lives of people who are in desperate need of basic everyday things that we take for granted???  Things like running water, a warm home, a bed with cozy blankets, where your next meal is coming from, how you will diaper your baby and clothe your children.  Would you believe that right here in our country there is third world poverty and starving children???  I have family that has been doing mission trips to Wanblee, SD (part of Pine Ridge Reservation) for the past five years and recently my aunt and uncle have also gone out to help.  The things they told me had me awake nights and spending my days getting donations, going through my house and sending anything I can spare to help.  The one thing that hit me the hardest was hearing about parents/grandparents having to use news paper for diapers.  One baby's Grandpa walked in the freezing cold without a coat because he had wrapped the baby in it so he could try to get a couple diapers.  Can you imagine five kids sharing one pencil to do schoolwork because there is no money to buy school supplies?  Could you imagine not having a bed or blankets to tuck your children in at bedtime?  Or not having food to feed your hungry kids?  Or having to put plywood over your windows to keep the snow and animals out of your house in the winter?  These people are in need of everything.  Mary Ann and Bob Epps (my wonderful family) are working on starting a non profit organization called Families Working Together.  They have all the necessary papers filed and are waiting on the government to finalize everything.  Mary Ann set a goal to have 400 Christmas boxes to give to each child and though generous donations they have met that and are leaving this coming week to deliver them personally to each and every child.  They have already bought lots in the town and have hopes of building a community center so people will have a place to go for help.  There is also a very high rate of diabetes among the Indians and because of the lack of health care many have failing kidneys so they are on dialysis.  They are in need of blankets and quilts to keep them warm during the many hours they have to spend hooked up to an I.V.

Is anyone willing to help?  In my travels through my quilting journey, I have found that quilters are very generous and I'm hoping that some of you will find it in your heart to help in some way.  Here is a list of some of the things have been given...

Quilts (and I bought a whole bunch more fabric to make quilts for kids!)

Clothing-baby, kids, adult

Mittens

Hats

Scarves

Coats

Socks 

Undies

Blankets

Shoes/Boots

Feminine Care items

shampoo

bar soap

laundry soap

dishes

diapers (I'm now going to buy a pack every shopping trip)

non perishable food items

toothpaste/brushes

and anything and everything else!

Here is Mary Ann's address if you would like send quilts or other items to help 

Mary Ann Epps

409 Yahara Ave.

Deforest, WI.  53532

or you can email her... mgrimmeepps@yahoo.com

To get the word out could any of you make a mention of the needs in Wanblee in your blogs?  I am praying every day that God will bless this and bring in the help that is so greatly needed.  I will also be posting updates periodically to show the progress.

Merry Christmas and God bless!!