Mennonite Disaster Services - The 10,000 Mile Ride

Here goes the six degrees of separation statement....

My college roommate's, younger brother (only two degrees), Neal Friesen, is doing a 10,000 mile bike ride around the country in an effort to raise awareness for the Mennonite Disaster Service.  MDS is a volunteer network to help in the event of disaster throughout the United States and Canada.

You can follow his trip on his website, CycleMDS.org or on his blog.  Anyone who feels so inclined to help out - or go for a bike ride for a day with him is welcome.

Here is his trip so far:

View Neal Friesen MDS in a larger map

Project Night Night

I saw this in my mom's blog and thought I would share it as well. 

Project Night Night is a nonprofit that provides homeless children with a blanket, stuffed animal and book to help provide some reliable comfort.  I have to say that if there is anyone in the world who knows how comforting a blanket can be, it is me.  So I plan on helping out and ask anyone else who can help to do so.

"There are approximately 298,000 homeless families in the United States.* Currently, there are more homeless children in the U.S. than at any other time since the Great Depression. Nonetheless, family homelessness often goes unseen as most homeless families do not live on the street.** Instead, most homeless families are transient, living in shelters, in cars, in hotels in the city’s poorest neighborhoods, or staying with friends or family members.*** These environmental stresses negatively influence a child’s early experiences and often lead to an increase in mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, poor sleep habits, and behavioral issues."

"To ease the anxiety associated with shelter living, Project Night Night distributes Night Night Packages to homeless children ages 0-10. Each Night Night Package includes an age-appropriate book, a baby blanket which can be cuddled, and a stuffed animal which can become a cherished friend. Finding comfort is vitally important for children in order to feel secure, loved, and valued – even in the midst of the upheaval and uncertainty attendant to homelessness."

Two More Quilts

I finished two more quilts this week! (Now I just need to finish the quilting on my other one so it can be posted to my Etsy store)

I feel like they turned out pretty well - minus one mistake.  

A while ago a friend asked me to make something for a silent auction for a 'friend-raiser' coming up for Angel's Hands.  Angel's Hands is a local organization that helps families of children with rare diseases.  They help with medical necessities that insurance won't cover, things that will help improve quality of life, events so the kids can get out, and support for families so they don't have to go through everything alone.  I've been to a handful of their events over the last few years and the organization is a good one.  So if you have a minute - or two - check them out - help them out if you can.  They have a a few annual fundraising events that have all been fun...And I obviously think it's a good cause. 

On a more self-serving note, I posted pictures of my latest quilting creations.  I feel like I'm getting a little bit better at this.  Let me know what you think!