Handmade bags to comfort children taken from homes
To anyone who knows Bev Nicholas of Centreville, it’s probably no surprise she’s working for the sake of children.
“Children, to me, are a special gift,” Nicholas said. “They are here to be loved.”
One day, she read in the Sturgis Journal that children taken from homes where a methamphetamine lab is found must leave everything behind. It’s a necessary evil to rid or contain the toxicity from meth production.
“My heart (goes) out to them,” Nicholas said. “They have nothing.”
Nicholas looked into the situation and learned the children are usually preschool age. After being washed, they are dressed in a paper gown, a diaper and slipper socks to head for a foster care home.
That was enough information to spur Nicholas to action, especially since she has skills and material to do something about it.
“They need something that is theirs,” Nicholas said. “I want to give them as much back of their life as I can. They need that dignity.”
So Nicholas created a plan to make bags to be filled with a blanket, pajamas, socks, underwear, slippers and a toy.
“I have tons of fabric,” she said. “And leather for slippers.”
Once the heat of summer had passed, Nicholas headed to her church, Centreville United Methodist, and began sewing bags, pajamas and blankets.
Other people heard about the project and have come out of the woodwork to help. After Nicholas cuts out the bags, volunteers take them home to sew. Each Thursday, a sewing group gathers at the church to work on the bags.
Others involved include St. Clair’s Catholic Church, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, both in Centreville, West United Methodist Church in Mendon, Mendon High School and Growing Grace, an adult foster care facility. Nicholas’ aunt from Indiana also has been knitting winter hats.
“It’s just caught on like the wind,” she said. “I didn’t think it would catch on that fast.” And so much for diminishing that stockpile of fabric.
Catholic Church Centreville - News
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Each Thursday, a sewing group gathers at the church to work on the bags. Others involved include St. Clair's Catholic Church, St. Paul's Lutheran Church, both in Centreville, West United Methodist Church in Mendon, Mendon High School and Growing Grace,
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Vendors sought for Second Annual Centreville Community Bazaar ...
The Centreville Methodist Church and St. Clare Catholic Church are gearing up for their jointly-sponsored Second Annual Centreville Community Bazaar. The event is slated for Saturday, November 5th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Centreville Elementary Gym. Vendors are being sought for the bazaar. “Non-profit” groups are invited to participate at no charge. [...]
">The Centreville Methodist Church and St. Clare Catholic Church are gearing up for their jointly-sponsored Second Annual Centreville Community Bazaar . The event is slated for Saturday, November 5th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Centreville Elementary Gym.
Vendors are being sought for the bazaar. “Non-profit” groups are invited to participate at no charge. “For profit” ventures will be charged a $25 fee per booth.