Volunteers craft comfort for people in need
Front from left, Jenny Dettrich, Kaye Nightingale and Glorianne Porter with members of Sunshine Linus.
Industrial scale kindness … Sunshine Linus meet together in the Nambour Uniting Church hall to help others.
Glorianne’s beautiful ‘This Little Piggy’ quilt.
They come from diverse backgrounds but share a passion to provide comfort through their love of crafting.
The Sunshine Linus group began back in June 2010 when 20 interested ladies attended the first meeting. The name was inspired by the Peanuts cartoon strip character who gained comfort and warmth from his blanket. Judie Bellingham was the founder and first President.
“She belonged to a volunteer quilting group in Brisbane that made quilts for children and adults undergoing long term hospital treatment,” explained publicity officer Glorianne Porter.
“Judie was aware that many quilters living on the Coast would like to help those in need in their own community so the group developed here.”
Sunshine Linus now has over 80 members and distributes a range of items (not only quilts) to over 120 different organisations.
President Kaye Nightingale said the group provided support to hospital wards and care associations such as aged-care facilities, hospices, special schools, the Reconciliation Group and foster care groups. Members are encouraged to “make what they love making”, said Kaye. “But a wish-list is created each month to let everyone know what items have been requested by the various organisations.”
Some of the items include rugs, beanies, scarves, shawls, quilts, sensory items, baby items, children’s clothes, drainage bags and toiletry bags, soft toys, teddies and children’s activity bags.
“The comfort given to those who receive these items lovingly hand-made by members of Sunshine Linus, completely free of charge, with no strings attached is incalculable,” she said. “It helps to restore their faith in the kindness and generosity of others.”
“People with dementia find comfort by patting our weighted toy pets because the added heaviness makes them feel more realistic. We also make blankets to fit wheelchairs and rugs designed for people undergoing dialysis treatment whose feet tend to get cold.”
Distribution coordinator Jenny Dettrich said one of the main tasks for members at each meeting was to sort and distribute the many beautifully hand-crafted items that are made and donated.
“There is a very stringent process to follow as items must be quality checked, labelled, sorted and bagged before delivery,” said Jenny. “It makes a busy but rewarding time for all involved.”
Of course, the monthly meetings also provide opportunity for members to make new friends, learn new skills and meet together with like-minded people, said Glorianne.
“It offers a chance to share stories about life’s joys and challenges, to show and tell what members have been creating and most importantly to have a laugh together,” she said.
Every second month there is an extra gathering called an ‘Activity Day’ where members get the chance to work together to complete a specific project or learn a new skill or technique.
“When someone teaches a new skill everyone develops a new-found admiration for their fellow members and for the craft itself.”
Sunshine Linus is a volunteer, non-profit group that relies mostly on monetary donations and donations of fabrics and notions.
With the assistance of the Nambour Uniting Church they provide a space where donated fabrics and haberdashery can be stored and put to good use.
During this time of pandemic Sunshine Linus has continued to operate but under strict social distancing guidelines. Members look forward in anticipation to the resumption of normal meetings when the COVID safety protocols are lifted.
• Sunshine Linus meets on the last Monday of each month at the Nambour Uniting Church Hall on Coronation Avenue. For further information contact: sunshinelinus@gmail.com or check out the blog at sunshinelinusgroup.blogspot.com
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