Would YOU give the shirt off your back to help someone in need? My hope is that the answer is a resounding YES......
It is once again time for a new Shirt Off His Back Quilt...........this time I am looking for COWBOYS to donate a shirt for a quilt that will benefit a family in need through the Hatcher Wheatly foundation here in Southeast Idaho. It is such a worthy cause, and I am blessed to be a part of it, if only in this small capacity.
Since it has been a few years since I began making a yearly quilt to donate, I thought it would be good to go back to the beginning and let you know why this is an important project for me.
September marks the anniversary of losing a beautiful daughter to cancer. She fought valiantly. We were scared and we were proud of her and we didn't know what to do.
When I was asked several years ago to be a part of a team for Relay for Life I had no idea that being on the team meant that I had to do a fundraiser! Tossing and turning and searching for sleep, I went over and over in my head the things that I might be able to do to raise money. I wondered what my husband......(who by the way.....couldn't ever seem to talk about his feelings too much about how he was dealing with this huge blow......) would have or could have done to save his daughter. The thought came to me that he would have given "The shirt off his back" to save her........I woke him in the middle of the night and told him that I was going to call some guys and ask if they would "give the shirts of their backs to cure cancer!" That was the only plan I had......the next morning I got on the phone and began calling........in the next couple of days I had managed to reach about 138 guys and asked for their shirts. They started pouring in. Along with the stories of loss and grief and fear. Tears were shed and I was a changed woman......Fortunately for me, I also belong to a quilt group and have had tremendous help along the way!!!
I have made one quilt a year and have not just donated the proceeds from the Relay for Life quilt, but also one for the Pocatello Free Clinic and St. Baldrick's foundation who raises money to address specifically children's cancer.
If you can donate a cowboy shirt or if you know someone who can, please please please.......contact me at 208-251-4984.......
Thank you beyond words............
