Welcome!
Please donate so the Pillowcase Project endures!
The Patriotic Pillowcase Project (PPP) began with a simple idea I had while a patient in the VA Hospital in Albuquerque, New Mexico in January of 2009. Knowing the hospital environment is sterile and cold, I wanted to liven up my room with a piece of home – so I brought with me a homemade pillowcase with dogs on it. I have a service dog, Ellie, so that is the pillowcase I chose to take with me.
My spirits were immediately uplifted. So many positive comments ensued from the staff and other vets in the hospital who saw my pillowcase that I decided every veteran should have a little piece of home in his or her room. Since I am a disabled veteran with MS and am familiar with the SCI (spinal cord injury) unit, I began making pillowcases for the other men and women in this unit of the VA hospital In Albuquerque. Thankfully, my Mom taught me to sew at a very early age. THANKS Mom!
As news of my Patriotic Pillowcase Project spread and from VA hospital to VA hospital, hundreds of requests started flooding in for pillowcases from hospitalized veterans from all over the country. Making the pillowcases became a joy, yet financially burdensome. I decided to request donations from my Sunday school class, who eagerly donated cash that very Sunday; and I elicited the sewing talents of friend and neighbor Anne Linn.
The pillowcases are made in a wide variety of material designs from flags, Army, Navy, Marine and Air Force to sports, holiday, and of course some dog and cat ones. Each veteran can choose the pillowcase she or he wants.
Today with the help of my friend Anne, and in between speaking engagements about disability awareness, participating in sports, and volunteering, I spend the majority of my time making pillowcases as fast as I can to keep up with requests.
YOU CAN HELP!
The pillowcases are FREE for the veterans. But some times the other volunteers and I struggle to meet the demands for supply costs and labor. Currently, there are over 400 outstanding pillowcase requests.
It is my wish that every veteran in every VA hospital have one of my homemade pillowcases. Everyone needs a little piece of home on which to lay his or her head. Everyone. Perhaps a smile and a sweet dream will not only comfort, but also heal.
Please take a look at the photos of some veterans with their pillowcases. Each pillowcase is folded and placed in a sealed plastic bag and includes a full color postcard attached with a red ribbon. The postcard describes the Patriotic Pillowcase Project and has a personalized label naming the donor and the volunteer who made the pillowcase. The pillowcases are then mailed to the VA hospital in a bundle, to keep the mailing costs low.
WANT TO HELP? Any amount of money, even $10, contributes to this simple act of kindness that comforts those who have given so much on behalf of our country.
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THANK YOU FOR VISITING MY PAGE. I invite you to share this website and information with others, even if you cannot donate at this time. And please visit my blog at GimpGirlsRule.blogspot.com.