We've received our first donation.

I got a lovely card from Barb F. in NY. She sent along $10. to make something (knit or crocheted) Sara would like, I'm assuming for the project. I took the money and bought 5 skeins of Caron Simply Soft Brites. Of course in shades of purple and green. I also got a multi color and a pink. I've started a log cabin blanket (the baby size) as the first blanket. DH got me the MasonDixon Knitting book for Christmas so I have to try the pattern. I thought it would be a unique way to incorporate the different colors of yarn. I will post pictures as I go.

Just talked to the Nursing Home!

Just got off the phone with Carol at the Nursing home and she is thrilled that we are trying to complete this goal of Sara's. She had heard about Sara like most through the newspaper articles and is amazed at what she wanted to accomplish. Carol thought at first we could go ahead with the scarf idea until I advised her that a scarf is what ultimately took Sara's life, then she agreed with me on the change to lapghans. We are thinking approximately 3 ft x 5 ft or 36" x 60 ". I told her I would make one about that size and we can see if it works. We are going to need about 100! So anyone that can help please get your hook or needles going. I'm hoping to be able to present the home with the afghans about a year from now.. close to the anniversary of Sara's passing. Sara wanted to wait until she had enough for everyone before she went over to the home.

Thanks you to everyone who has offered to support this in Sara's memory. She would be thrilled that it is going to be done.

The Project

This is the last photo taken of Sara Jo. On Thanksgiving 11/22/07 by my 7 year old son Michael. He adored Sara as most everyone who ever met her. She was known for her smile. She was taken from us in a terrible tradegy that happened the next day and took her life on 11/24/07.

This project is in her honor. It was one of Sara's goals to provide "scarves" for the seniors at a local nursing home. She had just completed her first scarf and wanted to share her new talentwith people she felt would use and appreciate her work. I was planning to show her how we could make "Lap Blanket or Lapghans" instead as they would be a bit more useful for seniors who really don't venture outside much once a resident in a nursing home.

How can you help?? Many ways, donate finished lapghans, yarn, squares or pieces we can sew together into a lapghan. I will have more size details soon.

Send them to me:

Sue Bates

Sara Smiles Project

840 Hitt St. #2

Ottawa, IL 61350

All lapghans will be marked as a Sara Smiles donation. We are working on those details.

Please leave a comment if you have questions. I will answer as soon as possible.