Bringing Hope 2 Others: Blankets Needed

Karen, Rick, Jane, and their volunteers, are dedicated to renewing hope of a better life to remote, impoverished, and under-served communities around the world. Karen and Rick have been doing missions since 2002. Hope 2 Others was founded in 2009. They strive to:

• Bring hope, health, and help by facilitating volunteer mission teams
• Coordinate and promote medical and education exchange programs to equip, empower, and increase the level of expertise of indigenous and medical professionals
• Improve the health and education of developing communities and countries
• Promote, facilitate, educate, and provide access to good hygiene, clean water, good health care practices, and education
• Build and construct medical clinics, schools, and multipurpose community centers in remote and under-served communities that lack these much-needed services

Karen and Rick have big dreams of building birthing and medical centers. During my recent interview and off-camera conversations, Karen shared details of their 2014 mission trip. She told me that many babies were dying of hypothermia. When they asked a birthing center, and others, how they could help, they were told that each birthing center, hospital, and clinic delivering babies has a need for blankets, hats, and booties. These basic supplies are needed for mothers to take home and keep their babies warm.

Efforts are underway to fill shipping containers with supplies and Hats 4 Hope Kits. Each kit includes a knit hat, blanket, booties, two onesies/undershirts, two cloth diapers, a diaper wrap/plastic pants, a sleeper, baby soap, toothbrush, flip-flops, and a newborn teething toy. By Rick’s count, Hope 2 Others ministry currently has 1047 Hats 4 Hope kits ready to be shipped to Tanzania. The cost for purchasing and shipping a 40-foot shipping container is about $20,000.00 US dollars. Incredibly, upon arrival, the shipping container will be converted into a medical clinic! Tax-deductible donations are welcome at the Hope 2 Others website or at Hope 2 Others, PO Box 1006, Sun Prairie, WI, 53590.

I knew there was more we could do to show our support for the work that Hope 2 Others ministry is doing. Along with you, my sewing friends, we can help by making blankets, afghans, and quilts!

Here’s how you can help:

1. Make or purchase a 36–40 inch square baby blanket, afghan, or quilt.

2. Deliver baby blankets, afghans, or quilts to the Hope 2 Others booth, in the front lobby, at Quilt Expo, Sept. 7–9.

3. Not attending Quilt Expo this fall? Ship your blankets, afghans, and quilts to arrive by December 1, 2017 to:

Blanket Donations

Nancy Zieman Productions

211 Corporate Dr, Ste. D

Beaver Dam WI 53916

Thank you to Karen, Rick, and the wonderful volunteers at the Hope 2 Others organization. Their efforts have touched my heart. I hope that you, too, will be inspired to help mothers and babies in need through Hope 2 Others, or in your local communities.