Family

WANTED

One hard-working person to join the State Family Activities Committee for Region B.

Must be willing to go about in that region to represent us and work with the needs of people in that region. The job is open to any male or female who would like to take on this challenge. The only requirement is: be willing to work with the existing committee members and director and have some fun as well.

Contact Ginny Mangel at 724-285-3324.

As we look out our windows we may be seeing snow, but we know that we are also looking at several holidays in March. From St. Patrick’s Day to the final days and steps of the leader of the Christian faith, Jesus Christ. As we celebrate our risen Savior, we must not forget that it is His plan for our lives that we must accept and grow with accordingly.

This is also that time of the year when we see things begin to sprout from the ground again. We need to look back at our Grange and reflect on how we can re-sprout it as we get into another year.

Several weeks ago we, as state officers and directors, gathered to plan the many activities of our year. We discussed many ideas on how we can get to people and get them involved.

After some lengthy discussion, we all agreed that it is up to each of us to make this organization grow and get back on track. We each need to get out there and “ASK” people to become members. We all enjoy the benefits of the Grange because it has been a big, big part of our lives.

As you read on you will see many things that have changed in this department so it will stir some interest and enthusiasm for the Grange and all it stands for.

By now each of the Subordinate and Pomona Family Activities Chairmen should have received their packet for 2008. I hope that the packets got into the right hands. If you are a Subordinate or Pomona chairman in your Grange and you did not get a packet, please contact the state office, State Director, or someone closer to you...maybe it is your regional director.

Each packet contains all of the information you need to get you on the right track for 2008. Please read through it and get acquainted with your job for 2008. We work to make your job easy, but we are always as close as a phone call away if you need some more help and direction.

This spring you will also receive a letter from your regional director regarding our Quilt & More Raffle tickets. The money raised pays for the prizes, awards, judges, and all the little things that add up to the prizes. If you need additional tickets, please contact your regional director, or myself and we will “put them in the mail.” Be sure that you use the colored quilt picture in your packet as your tool in helping to sell the tickets. It has proven to be a great selling tool. Once your tickets are all sold, send your money and ticket stubs to the State Director. If you send them to your regional director, that is okay also. They must arrive in time for State Session to be part of the drawing.

As each of you start the work you planned at our planning meeting, remember to have two things with you for every step... 1. is your goal, and 2. is the planned action behind each goal.

The goal of every FA chairman should be to seek the top award of “Director of the Year.” Read through your annual report form to be sure of what is needed, then take notes every step of the way. In the past, the judges have expressed a concern over the fund raising event you did and where the money from that went. Did it go into the Grange treasury or did it go into the community? So this year, lets give the judges some- what of a challenge as they judge these reports in September.

Since it is still cold and winter has not yet left us, let’s pick up our patterns, designs, and ideas and get them made into contest entries. I find that this is the best time of the year for me to do it. As spring and summer roll around, I find less time to spend indoors and getting these things done. Last year we had 257 entries come to State Session. I would like to see that number continue to climb. There are over 30 classes to choose from, so let’s get that contest flier out or read through the Guide to Contests and Programs and get to work.

To Ann Reid from Region B, we thank you for the help you gave us during your service with us. We wish you well and all the best as you move on to another challenge in your life.
Anyone from Region B that needs some help in their area, please contact the State Director.

FAMILY ACTIVITIES STATE PROJECTS for 2008: we have chosen to take on two projects this year and both are to help satisfy great needs. Our families, friends, and neighbors near and far at some time in our lives have been affected by a great need of some kind. We have chosen 2 great needs: one for women and one for children.

Our first challenge is to put a push on to have 200 ABC Quilts for children made and sent to, or brought to the Family Festival in July. You responded to a call 2 years ago with almost 200 Quilts for the Brave. Now we need you to rise to the challenge again. These quilts (hand or machine made) will be gathered and sent out to area children’s hospitals. A couple of months ago my husband and I took a trip with 49 quilts to the Pittsburgh Children’s Hospital and found that they were badly needed. Though I could not stay to see the looks on their faces, I did leave with a warm feeling that some children would have a warm blanket of their own as they stay there for medical treatment or help of some kind.

These quilts must be made at least 40" X 40" minimum, made from NEW fabric, all of which must be washable. They can be made bigger, but keep in mind that they will be used by children. If you wish, you can make them longer for children ages 7 and up because they will be a little bigger.

A great size is 42" by 48". Keep in mind that most fabrics for this kind of project would be 42" X 42" and you won’t waste fabric using this size.

Our other challenge is to assist in a special way to make women more comfortable and help retain their dignity as they face treatments for breast cancer. We are calling these “Dignity Shirts.” The shirts are given to breast cancer patients as they start their treatments, keep it and use it each time they return for another treatment. We have found a pattern that is very comfortable for all. It is a McCall’s pattern #3253, using View D. This pattern comes in many sizes, S, M, L and XL. When making these, keep in mind that they must be made from NEW and washable fabrics. Cotton and percale fabrics are great for these. You can make them from any colors, however, we are asking that PINK be used if you can. When making them, please allow the seams on the side and front to be about 1 inch larger so that it can be used to sew Velcro on it. This makes it much easier to open up for the treatment area, yet leave covering on the patient. Pockets can be eliminated if you wish.

We are asking that these shirts be made and brought to the State Session in October in Lancaster. We will do our work to find breast cancer treatment centers in Pennsylvania that can and will use these. I look forward to this challenge of finding such places. I already know that hospitals in Pittsburgh can use them. I trust that you will stand with me on this project as well. This is a great opportunity to make us proud in PA by making more or at least helping us reach our goal and we hope you will.

If you have any questions on either of these projects, please contact the regional or state director.

Well, I think you have enough to digest for a month and things to get busy doing. I hope you will get into our programs, projects and contests this year. We will keep you up to date on any and all changes as they occur. Open your heart to those in your community that need help.