SEWING - Memory Bears and pillows stitched creates a forever friend for a Hospice Loved-One

Craft a Memory Bear or Memory Pillow. Create a Forever Friend. Hug a bear...love a bear....make a bear. Stitch a Memory Bear or Memory Pillow and help mend a heart! These items will help to recall the closeness of a loved one who has recently passed away, bring a smile to someone in distress, or offer a sense of security to a child who feels alone after the loss of a parent of sibling.

VITAS Healthcare is looking for people who love to sew, and who are able to share their skills with hospice patients and families. Sewers can choose to start a community sewing group, or just sew individually.

A Memory Bear or Memory Pillow, sewn by a volunteer with compassion and love, is a forever friend who can ease a hurting heart after the death of a VITAS hospice patient. Share a little compassion and use your sewing skills to lift the spirit of a family member or friend who has recently suffered the loss of a loved one.

This is a great opportunity for you to give back to the community. By taking time out of your busy work week you can make the biggest difference in another’s life.

Sewers create these adorable bears and pillows from patients' favorite clothing, donated by family members -- maybe Dad's bowling shirt, or Grandma's dress. The sewers can add a few personal touches to the Memory Bears, such as button eyes, hair ribbon, etc.

VITAS will provide the pattern. and a mentor to help with the process until the sewer is comfortable. VITAS will reimburse sewers for the fiberfill, thread, bear eyes.

For more information about the Memory Bear & Memory PIllow Program, contact Ruth Garcia, Coordinator of Volunteer Services, at ruth.garcia@vitas.com or www.vitas.com/volunteer