Charity Knitting and Crochet- a very personal challenge from Bailey

Some of you that know us well know that Bailey, our 11 year old granddaughter, was born with Vater Syndrome, which includes congenital heart disease, only one kidney, and several intestinal anomolies.  She has spent a considerable amount of time in the hospital nearly every year of her life.  In fact, she was born at 27 weeks and the first four months of her life were spent in a neonatal intensive care unit in Fargo, North Dakota.

Upon returning to Florida in 2002, we were referred to the University of Florida Pediatric Congenital Heart Center and there we learned about, and were encouraged to attend, Boggy Creek Camp in Eustis, Florida.

Boggy Creek Camp is a Paul Newman "Hole in the Wall" camp for children with serious illnesses.  Read more about it at www.boggycreek.org.  Our experiences there can barely be described.  The camp is a place for kids with illnesses to be with other kids just like them (all the way down to the chest zippered heart patients playing in the pool).

There is no way to describe how wonderful the Boggy experience is for a sick child and their parents.  You have to experience it to really appreciate it.  Bailey blossomed and grew under the watchful eyes of her family pal and camp counselors.  She learned to dance and express herself through art and other activities at Boggy Creek. She also has a collection of crocheted afghans from her annual visits and they mean so much to her she wants to issue a challenge to each and every "maker out there".

During March and April crochet or knit a blanket, or make a bear if you sew, here's information and a pattern for the bear at this link:  http://www.boggycreek.org/how_to_help/bears_and_blankets.html

If you'd rather drop them off than mail them, we will have a box to collect your donations at Bella Luna Knits during March and April.  Bailey will hand deliver them to Boggy Creek in Eustis, Florida early in May just before the summer camps begin.

In support of Bailey's challenge, I am offering a 20% discount on yarn to anyone who needs yarn to make a blanket to donate to Boggy.  (Otherwise use what you have already!)  I'm working on one now with Luna 100% Peruvian Cotton in the softest colors. Click the link above to find out details about the blanket project.

Will you join us in support of this marvelous camp for kids, started by Paul Newman, supported by General Norman Schwarzkopf  and other philanthropists around the nation? 

There are many ways to donate, volunteer and support this organization.  We hope you will consider one or more of those ways, including making a blanket or bear for a child who needs a little extra care.

 Thank you for considering participating in this very personal challenge. 

Bailey and Kim Sheffield