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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 8, 2017)
Wednesday, November 8, 2017 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon 15 Heartwarmers make a difference across region By Sue Stafford Correspondent What began with one warm-hearted woman of faith, Mary Tomjack of Bend, making a few fleece cut-and- tie blankets as samples, has grown in four years into a flourishing 501(c)(3) non- profit called Heartwarmers, that covers children, seniors, the homeless, and cancer patients in Central Oregon with love, warmth, and comfort. Groups of volunteers — now numbering 125 — in Bend, Sisters, and Redmond gather twice a month to cre- ate fleece blankets, teddy bears, scarves, knitted and crocheted hats and ear warm- ers, dog toys, soft children’s blocks, and any number of specialty items created from the scraps left from making the blankets. “Not one scrap of fleece goes to waste,” Tomjack likes to say. On Saturday, October 28, Tomjack gathered volunteers from all three groups together at Sisters City Hall for a spe- cial morning of making blan- kets as part of national Make A Difference Day. Tomjack had contacted the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Central Oregon office to offer blankets and teddy bears to the children who are being served by the CASA volunteers. CASA Development Director Michelle Solley was at City Hall that Saturday morning to experience first- hand the love that created the blankets and teddy bears to be given to abused and neglected children by their CASA volunteers during their first meeting together. During that initial meet- ing, it is extremely important for the volunteer to make a connection with the child. The soft fleece blanket and cuddly teddy bear can be the very things that open a defen- sive heart to the caring adult who will speak for the child in the courtroom, represent- ing the child’s best interests, and advocating for them until they are placed in a safe and permanent home. While never soliciting for one dime of donations, Heartwarmers has been able to procure fabric, yarn, and other supplies for their proj- ects. An anonymous donor has paid the rent on their small office in Sisters for the past two years. The gen- erosity of the volunteers and people who are touched by the goodness of the Heartwarmers’ mission keeps the lights on and the door open. That mission is simple – enriching the lives of others with heartwarming gifts. The statistics over the Not one scrap of fleece goes to waste. — Mary Tomjack last four years are stagger- ing. Since 2013, they have donated 3,618 blankets — and another 75 will be donated this month. John and his mother, Joyce, have crafted 1,539 knitted teddy bears that playfully coordi- nate with the blankets. Knit and fleece hats for premature PHOTO BY SUE STAFFORD Knitted bears and blankets going to CASA of Central Oregon from Make a Difference Day work by Heartwarmers. babies, cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, and homeless youth and adults total 1,229. Scarves made from fleece left over from the blankets total 296 with 125 more waiting to be donated to Meals on Wheels for Christmas gifts that will be presented in sewn cloth bags made by Heartwarmers volunteers. Lap robes and walker cad- dies for seniors and hospice patients, and infant blankets that are edged with crochet- ing from donated yarn num- ber 901. Cloth “heart tugger” dog toys and soft blocks for toddlers are constructed from leftover fleece scraps. The total number of gifts donated ~ Over 22 years Serving Sisters ~ 541-549-0109 | 304 W. Adams Ave. Celebrate fall with an award-winning breakfast or lunch at Th e Cottonwood Café gluten-free/vegetarian options available Th urs.-Tues., 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. 403 E. Hood Ave. | 541.549.2699 | Sisters 16 FREE SISTERS LED BULBS. rving Dec. Distinctive Mexican-Style Seafood Cuisine d d d We are preferred providers for Delta Dental PPO and Premier, MODA, Advantage, Pacifi c Source, Cigna and the V.A. reports of suspected child abuse or neglect in Central Oregon each year. Last year, CASA advocates provided a voice of hope for 565 chil- dren in Central Oregon com- munities who spent at least one day in foster care due to alleged abuse or neglect. To join Heartwarmers or make a donation call 541-408-8505 or email hwb.heartwarmers@gmail. com. Visit their website at www.heartwarmersco. org. Donations can be made through PayPal on the web- site or by check sent to 178 S. Elm St., #105, Sisters, OR 97759. Se Now Dr. Thomas R. Rheuben General, Cosmetic, Implant and Family Dentistry to date is 8,464. Tomjack chose the CASA program as their focus for Make A Difference Day to honor Jean Thurber, one of the founding directors of Heartwarmers in 2013. Before moving to Central Oregon, she was a CASA advocate for 10 years in Portland. Thurber succumbed to cancer in June of 2016. The gathering on October 28 made 18 colorful fleece blankets in two hours and paired them with coordinat- ing teddy bears to help ease the heartbreak of abused Central Oregon children. There are more than 2,000 Two for One! Order a meal and beverage from our “November Specials” menu, receive second meal and beverage free! (Equal or lesser value) Voted 2017 Best Chef Central Oregon COBA Tour of Homes coba.org 541-549-6118 FivePine Campus 2017 INSTALLED FOR FREE. SERIOUSLY. Join more than 3,500 Central Oregonians and sign up for installation of 16 long-lasting LED bulbs in your home — a move that could save you up to $100 per year. Schedule your appointment today! theenergychallenge.org/freebulbs 541-385-6908 x26 Available for customers of Pacifi c Power, Cascade Natural Gas, and Central Electric Co-op in Bend, Tumalo, Redmond and Sisters. See website for service area map. Our team must install the light bulbs in high traffi c areas and can only replace incandescent bulbs. Water-saving fi xtures also available. Available while supplies last.
