Leaving tomorrow for Kenya!!

I think I can speak for our entire Sew Team that we all are BEYOND excited for this upcoming adventure to Kenya, the projects that await us at Huruma Children's Home and to meet the sweet children that live there!!

God has shown His faithfulness throughout our preparations for our Sewing Team Project at Huruma. He has provided the hands to sew 90 bedspread-size Leigh's Blankies and 60 curtain panels all for the new Huruma Girl's Dormitory. He has provided money, through many of you, to fund the expenses of our travels and supplies. He has given us time and skills to organize an over seas sewing program that seemed beyond many of us. Our team is so grateful. We give glory to God for his faithfulness and we thank you for giving and working so hard to support our efforts!!

In the last 24 hours our team has exchanged many messages, texts, facebook posts and phone calls on Malaria pills, weights of suitcases, itineraries and CAN YOU BELIEVE IT'S ALMOST HERE!? Many of us leave behind families that we care for, jobs that can be demanding and people who will miss us greatly.  It is overwhelming to think that most of us, if not all of us, will come back a completely changed person.  Whether it's a greater love for orphans, a stronger desire to make an impact on the world, or a better understanding of God's purpose in our lives, I know we will be changed.  It's kind of like that feeling before you graduate from school, get married, or have children.  You know a big change is coming, but what will it look like? We look forward to sharing this journey as we experience the children of Huruma Children's Home and serve the community there .We hope you can follow our progress and that the Kenya wi-fi allows us to access our blog! :)

Blessings,
Andra

Our Support Video for our Sewing Project at Huruma Children's Home in Kenya!

 

 

Leigh's Blankies Volunteers headed to...KENYA!!!

Follow our journey to Huruma Children's Home in Kenya

July 11 through July 22nd 

right here on the Blankie Blog!

Our New Website is LIVE!!

We are excited to launch our brand new website!!!
Thank you Promise Tangeman!!

www.leighsblankies.com

Check it out and spread the word!

Blankies delivered at Community Cupboard in West Virginia!

Wow! Do I have a ton to share since my last post!! God is providing and moving blankies all over the world! I quickly wanted to share about our latest distribution! (and I want to ask for prayer for a missions team currently in Liberia, serving orphans and delivering 50 Leigh's Blankies! My sweet niece is on this team! Pictures and a post to come...)

I was contacted by JD in West Virginia just a couple of months ago...

Andra,
I would like to thank you for your passion in a ministry that is obviously making a positive difference around the world. It truly is a blessing to see God's love shared through your efforts in memory of Leigh Ann. I first learned of Leigh's Blankies through Judy Hudson, who sent one to my wife (Dory), along with a copy of the local newspaper article covering a story on this ministry. Dory is Greg's (Tonkinson) first cousin and Judy wanted to share the wonderful story of your work with all of the family. 
In the upcoming months, my small group bible study class will be serving at a homeless ministry that includes several small children. As a result, I was curious to know if it would be possible to place an order for 25 Blankies. I'm certain these Blankies will be well received and a wonderful way to show God's love to children in need.
JD


What a special opportunity for us it was  to share a blankie distribution with some of Leigh and Greg's extended family! Through their support, we were able to send 25 blankies to West Virginia! JD wrote last week about the distribution...

...I was volunteering at our neighborhood Community Cupboard on Friday and decided to share the blankies with all of children who came. Wow! What a hit these blankies were, not only for the kids receiving them, but also with my fellow volunteers who were helping out. To say these blankets were worth their weight in gold is a huge understatement. Positive feedback was given on both the message behind the blankies and the quality of them. Kudos again to you for your involvement with this ministry. 


AWESOME! Thank you JD for serving and sharing your experience with how God is using you, your volunteer group and the Blankies!!!

HAPPY SUNDAY!
Andra

Calvary Chapel Christian School Students unite to sew blankies!

Mrs. Bradford's class from Calvary Chapel Christian School set aside a day to serve by learning how to work together at different stations to create completed blankies !
 We are so thankful for their willingness to serve! And a HUGE thank you to my mentor, Maria Jones, for leading this group in this project!

I love these quotes from the students and their teacher!!!

“I really enjoyed working on the blankies because the kids will be so happy to get the blankets.  I liked making them.  Me and my mom made 7 blankets.  I really enjoyed it.”

~Isabel

“I thought it was so much fun.  I got to do lots of things.  Now I know how to make blankies.  It is so much fun helping people that don’t have homes and giving them the blankets.”

~Josiah

“Leigh’s Blankies was great.  It was an experience that I wouldn’t forget.  Also it felt good that while you are having fun you are helping someone in need.  So I think Leigh’s Blankies is a fantastic way to help out.”

~Christian

“Leigh’s Blankies was really fun.  I enjoyed making the blankets, knowing they will go to someone in need.  Mrs. Jones was very helpful and was a blessing to us.  Hopefully we will do it again and make more blankets.”

~Kiana

“I enjoyed making blankets for Leigh’s Blankies foundation.  I want to thank Mrs. Jones for coming in and helping us make them.  I appreciate and want to thank Andra for starting the foundation.  I think it is awesome what she is doing.  I would love to make more blankies again.”

~Brett

“Leigh’s Blankies was very fun.  I enjoyed it.  I got to work at every station.  It was awesome to sew again.  I have previously learned to fold, cut, and iron so it was easy for me to work.  I hope we can maybe do it again.”

~Madelynn

“It was nice to make blankets for those in need.  It’s good to know that this is for a good cause.  I wouldn’t mind doing it again.  I hope that more people would make more blankets for the kids.”

~Sarah

“I love to sew Leigh’s Blankies, but I loved doing it with my classmates.  I enjoyed doing the blankies.  I am so glad you came up with this, Mrs. Good.  I am so happy I get to be a part of this program.”

~Karla

“Helping Leigh’s Blankies was a nice experience.  I enjoyed helping the community by helping to make blankets.  I also liked hearing where they were going to go.”

~Dylan

“It was the best time ever!  No joke, I loved it.  I liked sewing and knowing it would go to a good cause.  I would love to do it again.”

~Tristin

“I loved having the opportunity for my students to serve God through this ministry.  I am so thankful for Leigh’s Blankies and I hope we can continue to support the work that is done through the ministry.”

~Mrs. Bradford

Moving Breath Pilates Fundraiser!!

I felt so blessed when Virginia from Moving Breath Pilates Studio, asked if she could host a fundraiser for us.  Virginia is a dear friend and has been my Pilates instructor for years. She has seen me through injuries and rehabilatated my body after a total hip replacement.  She has been a support for me since Leigh Ann died and I am so thankful for her and the Moving Breath Pilates family!!! This fundraiser raised almost $1000 towards more supplies for Leigh's Blankies! I'm still in awe by this blessing!!

Watch this video of our efforts! And thank you so much to Jim Jaques for creating it!!


(In my nervousness, I communicated the wrong dates....we launched in 2011)   

Virginia Nicholas, owner of Moving Breath Pilates
 

Photos by the amazing Becca Lynn Photography!! Thank you Becca!!