The Common Thread Circle

Mondays, Dec. 5th and 12th, at Starbucks Town and Country, 2-4 p.m.  (Note: NOT on 12/19 or 12/26)

Tuesday, Dec. 13th, in Room D126, Memorial Drive United Methodist Church, from 9:30 – noon.  Bring a snack to share!

On Monday, Dec. 19th, all Common Thread members are invited to the home of Peggy Stuart for a Holiday Celebration.  Contact Lenore Alfredson if you need more information.

The Knitting and Crocheting Group that meets at Leora Feldman’s home will not meet during December, and the “Happy Hands” group will not meet at Spring Branch Presbyterian Church in December.

We will resume our regular schedule of meeting starting Monday, January 2, 2012 at Starbucks.

Happy New Year!

Patients Find Solace in Pillows with Inspirational Messages

By Heather Sessions

Barbara Matthews, staff chaplain, loves making patients smile. That’s why she teamed up with the Hospital District’s Volunteer Services Department and Common Thread Circle, a local volunteer group that stitches, knits and crochets their way into the hearts of patients through personalized pillows—small mementos that are making a big difference to sick patients. “The pillows are like therapy,” Barbara says. “They serve as a small reminder that someone cares, especially for patients who don’t have any family by their side.” Each pillow is stuffed and hand-sewn by Common Threads Circle volunteers and then Barbara writes inspirational messages like, “Look up and smile,” “God is on your side,” or “Today is a good day.” In 2008, Barbara became involved in the pillow project to lift patients’ spirits during their hospital stays. Every Thursday, she delivers pillows to patients at Ben Taub Hospital in Radiation Therapy, the NeuroPsychiatric  Center, Oncology and Palliative Care units to inspire hope and provide comfort to patients.  Since May 2008, the Common Thread Circle has donated more than 32,000 handcrafted items to patients in Houston-area hospitals.  Every month, more than 50 pillows are distributed at Ben Taub Hospital, and the program is being expanded to other Hospital District facilities, including L BJ Hospital and Thomas Street Health Center. If you’re interested in volunteering time or materials to the project, call Heather Rojas at 713-873-3305.

On Monday, October 31, Common Thread Circle member Peggy Stuart entertained the group at her home.
Members came dressed in costume and enjoyed Peggy’s wonderful food and beverages
as they stuffed and sewed pillows for our area hospitals.

Our hostess dressed as a table !

Nature enthusiast Joan came dressed as Miss Lady Bug!

Witches Joyce, Virginia, and Judy ready to enjoy good food while they work!

Great fun was had by all as we worked on sewing and stuffing our heart-shaped cough pillows for area hospitals!