I’d love to tell you about a program that has really touched my heart. Downy and Quilts for Kids have teamed up to bring quilts to hospitalized kids through Downy’s Touch of Comfort Program. I wish this program had been around 15 years ago!
My son was hospitalized for a week when he was 3 years old. It was a scary time for all of us. But it was especially scary for him, as a little three-year-old away from home, not fully understanding what was happening. Any warm touches to help the hospital room feel like home would have been welcome.
Kids need comfort, especially when they’re somewhere unfamiliar like a hospital and dealing with something scary and hard like being sick. Award-winning actress Chandra Wilson, who plays Dr. Miranda Bailey on “Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC) is the spokesperson for the Downy Touch of Comfort program. She even takes time to participate in quilt deliveries:
Working with Quilts for Kids, Downy delivers quilts to kids in hospitals to bring them a bit of the comfort of home, thanks to the quilt donations of thousands of people. There have been over 20,000 quilts donated so far — Isn’t that awesome??
And you can get involved whether you’re an experienced quilter, a beginning quilter — or someone that has never quilted at all!
- If you’re an experienced quilter, you can download the official Downy Touch of Comfort quilt pattern and get more information about what type of quilts are needed and more.
- If you’re not an experienced quilter — like me (!) — you can order the free quilt kit from Quilts for Kids. It includes fabric and a label to help you share your story with the child who receives your quilt. I love how the Touch of Comfort quilt tag connects quilters, volunteers, hospital workers and families.
- Also, if you don’t have time to make a quilt — you can still be involved. ADOPT A QUILT. A financial donation to Quilts for Kids will go toward shipping quilts to children at children’s hospitals across the country. It will also help this program purchase fabrics for quilts for the more than 6 million children in children’s hospitals around the country. You can also get involved with your local chapter and help deliver quilts to kids in your area!
Here’s the quilt kit I received. It came with the material all cut out and detailed instructions.
I am so excited to make my quilt. I’ll share it with you when it’s done!
Will you join me in making a quilt to comfort a sick child?
You can request your FREE quilt kit here.
xox
Hi I just found this website about the quilts. I was sad that I could not get a quilt kits, they do not have many money to ship the kits. I really wanted to make one . I am unemployed at the moment and would have the time to make it.
Thanks
Joyce randolph
I would like to order a quilt kit to make a quilt for a sick child. I have made a lot of qult for my grandsons and now a granddaughter and family. Please send me a quilt kit and let me know where I can return it to when I finish it which is usually in a day or a weekend.
Thank you
Suzi Rubadeau
6616237894
423 shasta st
taft ca 93268
Jennifer, this is so amazing! Maya and I just ordered a quilt kit so we can help. I love this idea and I love that it’s super easy so that Maya can be involved. Thank you so much for bringing this worthy cause to our attention XO Jackie
I just got an email from Quilts For Kids letting me know the fabric is on its way! I am so excited to start this project knowing that it will put a smile on a child’s face!
I love this idea! Thanks for sharing! I would love to do this, but I have no quilting experience. I’d love to hear how the project goes and how tough it is 🙂
This is a very noble idea. Kudos to whoever made this idea into fruition. Happy Mother’s day everyone!
Hi Jen!
I had no idea this existed, and I think it’s a wonderful cause! I’ll be ordering a quilt kit and whipping one up too!
That is an awesome cause. I love it Jen. I can’t wait to see the quilt you make!
This is amazing. I’m a quilter & I just ordered my quilt kit. I put a lot of love into what I do so hopefully this will provide some young boy or girl with a little bit of comfort. I’d love to make this a regular thing! Thank you so much for sharing 🙂 I will share with my blog too
This is SOOOO awesome!!! Thanks for sharing… I just ordered my quilt kit! I also shared this on my Facebook wall so hopefully we’ll get some more quilts done!!!
This is fabulous! I wish I knew how to sew! Great job Jen!
What a great idea! Thanks for telling us about it. I would love to learn to quilt someday.
What an amazing cause! So so sweet! Thanks for sharing! i am totally inspired!
I ♥ QFK!
I just finished my second one. The first one was very young and girlie, all lime green and lavender and cute lil animals. This next one is baseball themed. So cute…
I like to imagine that the child that will get the quilt-even though it is in less than great circumstances-is happy to get it. I hope that my sewing skills will play into making their recovery a bit easier/better/faster. Love this organization.
One of my goals for 2012 is to do one “big” thing per month to help others. When I found QFK, I figured I could do six quilts this year-they work up pretty quickly, and being mostly precut is amazing.
There is nothing like a handmade quilt for comfort. Thanks for spotlighting this oh so worthwhile cause on your blog!
Here’s a link to the fist one I did- http://sharingourpath.blogspot.com/b/post-preview?token=zTptOTcBAAA.c5vcxMoiB008xgNUeEidIA.T9LQaNDvGPqTrt4qvezibg&postId=3721978925937339004&type=POST
So glad to hear about this Downy Quilt Project. I’d love to get involved. Here is another organization that does something similar: Project Linus. What a great reason to be crafty!
http://www.abakershouse.com/2012/02/project-linus-national-make-blanket-day.html
After we do our big move I’ll be looking at doing this! What a good opportunity to give back. I’ll be passing this along on my facebook page. I know a lot of people who sew 🙂
Now this is too cool! I am so doing one- what a wonderful sweet idea that brings smiles! Sign me up- I love Seeing SMILES!! Thank you for sharing Jen!
I love this! Such a great idea and a great way for people to help and get involved. Thanks for sharing it with us Jen!
I’m going to sign up for a free kit right now! Thanks for this info Jen, what a great cause! 🙂
I’ve been wanting to get quilting again and this is the perfect project to get motivated again! I just requested my kit. Thank you for sharing.