When I was about 16 years old I was asked to give a speech. I don’t even remember anything about what the topic was or anything else that I said, but I remember I read this story……and it’s stuck with me all these years. I now tell it to my kids for a bedtime story all the time. I am just hoping that eventually it will sink in….
That is what I feel like Skirting the Issue is all about. It’s all of us out there making a difference for one individual. It’s each of us sitting at our sewing machines, thinking about and meticulously making something for someone that we have never met….but hoping that somewhere deep inside they can feel our love for them.
And this week we are going to start where we left off last year….with SKIRTS!!!!
Last year we were able to donate 600 skirts to girl’s in foster care…..and we hope that you will join us for making a few more. (Remember you only have to do one to make a difference!)
Around our house, we started our skirt project a little early. I found out that a friend (she was the social worker who did our adoption home-study) was going to the Congo to visit and volunteer at a orphanage. A plea was put out on facebook for some gently used clothing for the children in the orphanage and I knew that it was my way to reach “the one.”
So, the kids and I got busy….picking out fabrics from the stash and then me spending a few late nights sewing up some skirts. We even had an assembly line of putting elastic into the skirts (a few were wonky….) but I was proud that they could each do their part.
We went together and bought some cute white tees to match and then happily sent off our skirts to the Congo, where we are hoping some little girls are going to look so darling in them.
And I am really hoping that my kids remember this experience….that even though they are small….that they can reach one.
~Elizabeth
P.S. Last year we all donated to our local Foster Care Agencies….which is such a great place and is always in need of children’s clothing.
If anyone has any resources of where to donate skirts in your local area (Foster Care Offices in your area or other resources) will you leave it in the comments? Thanks a million.
Hi, I just can’t believe I am reading this. Recently I was thinking of that Starfish story and I have not been able to get it out of my head. And I want my sewing to make a difference for others. Whether it be something for someone grieving or to help an organization that ministers to victims of trafficking. I don’t have much money to donate, but I do have a skill, a gift, of sewing and some time that I can use to hopefully bless someone.
The other wild thing is that you mentioned Congo. And reading Refuse to Do Nothing I learned more about Congo and the children, oh my goodness. We sent shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child and they ended up in Congo. I have tried to find some more info online and not finding much. How exciting you sent skirts to an orphanage there! 🙂
kimberlee
I love this story! I think it’s a great cause.
I used this story a lot when I was working with HIV patients. It was heartbreaking, soul-rending work, but I wanted to make a difference. And I did, one patient at a time. Thanks for posting this and reminding me. And blessings to you for this generous work. 🙂
Shannon
I just have a few questions about the “Skirting the Issue” project. Is the flickr link the same as last year? Just curious, and are there any sizes that are in need more than others? Also, can we start posting pictures now? I posted a couple to the flickr account and noticed a lot of the rest were from last year.
Yes, it is the same link as last year…and I just went and saw your two skirts…they are darling and it made my night! They are the first two items posted for this year. It’s so exciting!!!!!