Linda McCully of Erie has been awarded this prestigious award through RSVP for 4000 hour of Volunteer work. Linda has sewn, knitted and crocheted hundreds of amazing outfits and blankets for Warm Hearts-Warm Babies, an organization in Colorado that distributes items for premature infants and babies in need. Nothing is stopping her now, as she continues to sew her way to many more hours.
RSVP Presidential Award Winner Linda McCully
When I asked her how she got started in this endeavor, her answer was through the Carbon Valley Senior Center in Frederick (formally Tri Town Seniors). She attended the Tuesday sew and quilt and knit group each week for social enjoyment. The group was making hats for homeless people and blankets for babies in hospitals. Most of the materials are donated to Linda. She can always use scrapes of material and yarn.
I was amazed at the variety of outfits and garments she showed me! Newborn and Preemie rompers, sleepers, nightgowns , onesies, dresses, jackets, crocheted hats and booties! But I was most impressed with the love she put into Burial Garments and Keepsake bags. If a baby does not make it after birth and passes away, these little outfits go on the child for burial. The Keepsake bags are a “going home” bags with some remembrance items and a crochet angel pin, so the mother has something to take home to remember her baby.
Comfort Octopuses are crocheted tactile toys a small infant can hold. The story behind this is, a baby that was hooked up to monitors and tubes, with only a few weeks to live…was continually pulling out the monitor lines. When given one of these Comfort Octopuses, baby had something to hold onto that felt very close to an umbilical cord. After given the Octopus, she no longer pulled out the tubes. And miraculously is now 2 years old and thriving!
Linda has given so much to so many, not just babies. If she hears of a need through a friend or her church, off she goes with a quilt or hats and blankets for the homeless or another individual in need. Eighty-two hours per month is Linda’s average of volunteering. Of course it varies, as she is also a caregiver to her husband. All I can say now is: A job well done, good servant of God and all humanity! Congratulations Linda on your award!