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The concept of Creative Hearts and Hands
was born in July 2001 -- the results of having read and article and finding the
pattern for a turban in Guidepost magazine. The resulting idea was simple,
but powerful -- make turbans for cancer patients that had lost their hair due to
chemo and distribute them to patients at local medical facilities.
What started with a single pattern soon transformed itself into the making of
about 20 different hats from various commercial patters. What started as
the labor of love of one person has grown into a service of many that
affects many more.
The number of styles of hats and turbans has decreased from a maximum of
about 20 to 4 different styles because of time, manpower and effort required and
due to the fact that the Regional Cancer Center soon asked if we could make bone
shaped pillows to be used on chemo chairs.
This idea started small! We initially thought the pillows would have to
also have pillow cases, so we initially only made a dozen. What we did not
at the time realize was that the Regional Cancer Center intended that every
patient have his or her own pillow! What started as a simple idea -- a
seed -- had grown into a huge tree, and it had happened virtually
overnight.
What had started as an individual's project of love had grown into a project
that was going to need organization and manpower -- the kind of project so well
suited to Fellowship Presbyterian's mission and outreach programs. That
being the case, the name Creative Hearts and Hands
was born.
So what's the current status of the program?
We make the bone pillows for the cancer center and deliver 125-150 pillows a
month.
When we take 150 one bag of 25 pillows goes to Stoney Creek Cancer Center.
We make a rectangle shaped pillows used as cough pillows for The Women's
Hospital and deliver 50 pillows a week to them.
We take care of the Christmas babies born at Women's Hospital. The first year
it was 50 handmade little red gowns with matching hats. Every year since, it has
been 50 fleece blankets with matching hats. This year it is something special
but I can't reveal what it is at this time.
Creative Hearts and Hands has since 2001 made
and donated 7,084 hats and 13,651 pillows and donated the Christmas items and
some items the hospital has requested.
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Rev. Joel Long assumed duties as Interim Pastor
of Fellowship Presbyterian Church on June 1, 2009.