The Common Thread Circle

Dear Common Threaders,

On Monday, Dec. 15, we met at Starbucks, and on Tuesday, Dec. 16, we met at Memorial Drive.  Both days we worked hard to get lots of projects done before Christmas. Now we deserve a well-earned rest.

Merry Christmas to all of you. It has been a pleasure getting to know all of you and to work with you.  Thank  you so much for everything you do for the patients in Houston area hospitals.  I believe that our efforts have made a difference in their lives.  I wish you and your loved ones a joyous and safe holiday season.  And I look forward to seeing you at Starbucks on Jan. 5, 2009 at 2:00 p.m.

Here is what we donated this week:

Children’s Memorial Hermann

Therapy Dolls  18
Pillows            39
Blankets         14
Hats               4

MDAnderson

Tote Bags       11
Stoma Covers   3
Hat                  1
Pillows             59

Ben Taub

Pillows           40
Knitted Bears  1

We donated a total of 192 handmade items this week and 2,664 items since May 20, 2008.

Dear Common Threaders,

We have been busy little Christmas elves. Due to all of your hard work, we have been able to make a large donation of handcrafted items this week. Your efforts have been very appreciated by the hospitals. The volunteer office ladies at Ben Taub and Memorial Hermann came out in the cold and rain to pick up their bags, shivering but expressing gratitude that they will have gifts to give their many patients who will be in the hospital over Christmas. We will be meeting at Starbucks Town and Country Monday Dec.15 at 2pm and at Memorial Drive Church in Room 220  starting at 9:30 for our montly meeting followed by a home cooked  lunch.  Mary, Verlyn and I look forward to seeing all of you then. We will meet again at Starbucks on Monday, January 5 at 2pm.

Here are the figures. Between Dec.10-13, we donated to:

MDAnderson
10 totes
1 stoma
71 Christmas pillows

Children’s Memorial Hermann
20 blankets
1 hat
7 outfits for premies
1 teddy bear

Ben Taub
58 Christmas Pillows

Memorial Hermann
172 Christmas Pillows for a total of  505 Pillows

Our total donations of handmade items since May 20,2008 is 2472

We received the kindest letter of support from Ben Taub:

First let me say that it was a pleasure visiting with you last month.  The time was short, but it was great learning about the Common Thread Circle and the work that you do to help others less fortunate.  Maybe the next time, we will have more time to visit.

I have attached an electronic copy of our thank you letter for your donations.  As we discussed by phone, we have many uses for the pillows you and the Common Thread Circle members make for us, such as:

1. Lactation support instructors use them while teaching new moms how to breastfeed.
2. Rehab and/or wheelchair bound patients use them to help maximize comfort
3. Our surgery patients use them to help with coughing therapy after surgery
4. And our cancer patients who have had a mastectomy use them to help ease the pressure of the seatbelt while driving/riding in a car.

The little kitties and frogs were a big hit also!  We are looking forward to the Christmas pillows.

We really appreciate your donations and your support of the Harris County Hospital District.  If you have any questions please feel free to call me or, Kimberly at 713-873-3023 or Liz Tise at 713-873-2203.

Thank you so very much.

Tina Foster
Program Manager
Public Partnerships and Tangible Gifting
Harris County Hospital District
1504 Taub Loop
Houston, Texas  77030
713-873-6059 (o) 713-440-1017 (f) 713-416-9538 (c)