Members of Flock Hone Their Creative Skills Talents While Helping Babies
EDMOND, OKLA. – There is nothing cuter than a baby, and babies need equally cute accessories. The ladies of Henderson Hills Baptist Church have them covered … literally.
“As a flock, we wanted to do something a little extra with our time and to give back to our community,” says Kay Sikes, Henderson Hills member and volunteer. “We thought it might be nice to create handmade baby blankets and caps for our newborns.”
The gesture is greatly appreciated, especially considering that INTEGRIS Health Edmond (opening fall of 2011) is proud to offer obstetrics, gynecology and women’s services.
“When I practiced nursing, we loved items like these,” says Avilla Williams, president, INTEGRIS Health Edmond. “We are blessed to have these ladies in our city and as members of our neighboring church. They know the impact of community service on their fellow citizens.”
They create hand knitted and crocheted caps in a variety of colors, patterns and even sizes. “We want to provide these pieces for our preemies as well, so we make a few smaller ones to fit their little heads,” says Betty Redwine.
But caps are not all that are available for the bundles of joy. The ladies create “woobies,” which are 5” x 9” pieces of fabric placed on the mother’s chest beneath her gown. The cloth picks up her aroma, and is then placed inside the baby beds and incubators so the newborns can get more acquainted with their mama’s scent, hopefully eliciting a calming effect.
The group also crafts blankets: a smaller size to cover the incubators (which helps keep out the bright light to give premature babies better rest), and larger styles used to wrap the babies.
“It’s truly a group project,” says Sikes. “The fabrics and materials are donated by members of our flock. Even if a volunteer doesn’t know how to sew, knit or crochet, that’s OK. We always need folks to cut fabrics and to help carry materials. We can even teach those willing to learn!”
Several have expressed interest in volunteering at INTEGRIS Health Edmond as well. “We have such a strong group of volunteers at INTEGRIS,” says Williams. “Volunteerism is an integral part of what we do … it will be quite rewarding to watch the volunteer program take shape at INTEGRIS Health Edmond.”
Whether they decide to volunteer at the hospital or to keep providing babies with the latest styles in baby beanies and blankies, this Henderson Hills flock will no doubt remain a “tightly knit” group dedicated to its community.
