First Quarter Newsletter, March 2020
CHAPTER COORDINATOR’S MESSAGE
Never ever did I dream that I would be writing this amid the nightmare that each of us finds ourselves. I pray that each of you are feeling well and taking to heart, all the advice that we are being given. This isn’t the time to take chances.
My wakeup call was on Friday when I went to CVS to pick up a prescription for my husband. The pharmacist looked at me and said, “I do not want to see you back in this store, we will deliver medicine to your home”. I decided then that I better look at my priorities.
We have had to cancel all the special events that we plan for this time of the year but hope that we will be able to reschedule the Volunteer Tea in late summer or early fall. There are several things that I need to cover and shall, but it just doesn’t seem to be the time to cover things that aren’t that important. This is the first newsletter that will not be mailed out except for those that reached out to me and asked for a hard copy. This newsletter will be sent out by email and I hope that you have made sure that we have your email address. It will also be posted on our website www.projectlinusofwnc The in kind tax receipts will be mailed out at the end of 2020.
I felt that the following prayer that I received says all that needs to be said and should help each of us.
A PRAYER OF HOPE DURING THIS PANDEMIC
By Rabbi Naomi Levy
We are frightened, God
Worried for our loved ones.
Worried for our world.
Helpless and confused,
We turn to you
Seeking comfort, faith and hope.
Teach us God, to turn our panic into patience,
And our fear into acts of kindness and support.
Our strong must watch out for our weak,
Our young must take care of our old.
Help each one of us to do our part to halt the spread of this virus
Send strength and courage to the doctors and nurses
In the frontlines of this battle,
Fortify them with the full force of their healing powers.
Send wisdom and insight to the scientists
Working day and night across the world to discover healing treatments.
Bless their efforts, God.
Fill our leaders with the wisdom and courage
To choose wisely and act quickly.
Help us, god to see that we are one world,
One people
Who will rise above this pandemic, together.
Send us health God,
Watch over us,
Grace us with Your love,
Bless us with your healing light.
Hear us God,
Heal us God,
Amen
BLANKET DROP OFF
With things changing on a daily, no hourly basis I think that it is best to hold on to the blankets that you are making and do as asked! Stay home, we aren’t delivering any blankets to facilities as most aren’t allowing any outside item in. Some of the drop off locations have closed so as to keep it simpler let’s wait until this is all over and we will then resume normal operations.
FACE MASKS
As we go through this time with a feeling of hopelessness, there are things that we can do. Judy Spencer and Syd Silva sent me the website that gives the instructions for making face masks. At this time, I haven’t heard back from the hospitals letting me know if they will accept masks made at home, so many facilities are not allowing outside items in. Even if we make the masks for family, friends, neighbors, etc. we will be filling a need. You can also check with shelters, clinics, medical offices. We won’t be able to collect them so you will need to find a place to take them and drop them off. I suggest that you keep them in your local area.
Call facilities ahead to make sure they can use them. The website is connect@deaconess.com
Thanks for all that each of you do. Needless to say, blankets to facilities have been put on hold but once this pandemic is a thing of the past, we will be able to deliver as many blankets as they will need to get back to normal.
BLANKET DROP-OFF SITES
Asheville:
JoAnn Fabric and Craft Store
80 S Tunnel Road
Hendersonville:
Grace Lutheran Church
1245 Sixth Avenue West
Sheridan Kay Quilting
1680 Spartanburg Highway
Weaverville:
5 Little Monkeys Quilt and Sew
32 North Main Street
FIRST QUARTER STATISTICS
In Out
January 306 367
February 384 305
March 444 348
First Quarter Totals 1,134 1,020
With these latest numbers our chapter has now distributed 76,342 blankets!
Number of knitted dolls and stuffed animals donated and distributed this quarter: 198
Weighted blankets donated to date: 1,285
COUNTY CONTACTS
Chapter Coordinator
Ellen Knoefel 828-645-8800
Buncombe County
Ennis Julian 702-499-3567
Cherokee, Clay and Graham Counites
Ellen Knoefel 828-645-8800
Haywood County
Mariam Howell 828-456-5154
Henderson County
Helen McConnell 828-890-3067
Jackson and Macon Counties
Ellen Knoefel 828-645-8800
Madison County
Nancy Fish 828-768-1344
Mitchell County
Janet Jackson 661-319-8286
Transylvania County
Pat Crawford 828-883-8746
Yancy County
Asta Jeffcoat 828-682-4373