SEW…can you BEAR another service project?

Lisa Thompson was a Girl Scout through the Cadette program level. She grew up in the Houston area, went to Texas A&M University and returned to Houston after living in other areas of the United States. Thompson worked mostly in customer service, office management and administration before serving as the volunteer services manager with VITAS, with whom she’s been with for about 3 years. With three teenage children at home, she loves working with teens anytime she can and involving them in projects like making the bears.

Make bears? Interested? If you or your group would like to develop/hone the very useful skill of sewing as you make teddy bears for hospice inpatient units, read on! 
Last year, GSSJC Troop #5306, did a fantastic job of making 35 bears which were given to patients, families and children visiting or staying at VITAS’ inpatient units in Houston. The bears were loved so much that there are requests for more, but no one to make them. The need is ongoing year-round; however the holidays are an especially great time to have the bears on hand to give out to visitors. It’s very comforting even to patients to hold when they are there. 

What is a hospice? A hospice is a type of care provided to terminally ill patients when medical treatments cannot cure a disease. VITAS’ interdisciplinary team of hospice professionals and volunteers can do a great deal to control pain, reduce anxiety and provide medical, spiritual and emotional comfort to patients and their families.

The bears are about 18" long and made of various types of fabric. Any simple pattern is fine to use. Most seamstresses use a Simplicity Pattern (i.e. #5461).  Ms. Thompson also has an easier pattern to use around the face. It is hand drawn, so you can copy it onto pattern paper from a fabric store first. Most groups have used their own material in the past. Making clothing and hats for the bears is not necessary, unless they just want to do it for fun. Most seamstresses tie a ribbon around the neck or make a simple necktie.  Freedom of creativity is definitely encouraged so that the girls have fun making them.

If you are interested in participating in this project or would like additional information, please contact Lisa Thompson, VITAS volunteer services manager, at 713-663-4901. VITAS Innovative Hospice Care is located at 4828 Loop Central Drive, Suite 890 in Houston, TX  77081.

Texas Recycles Day

Did you know that November 15 is Texas Recycles Day?

This special day encourages Texans to start recycling or increase their recycling efforts. Events focus on reduce, reuse, recycle, and rebuy. The program is partnered by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and Keep Texas Beautiful.

“Growing Recycling in Texas” is the theme for Texas Recycles Day 2005, with an emphasis on composting and using compost. Composting is nature’s way of recycling.

In Texas, more than 20 million tons of compostable organic materials like yard trimmings, wood chips, food waste, and paper go into landfills every year. When these materials decompose, methane (a powerful greenhouse gas) is released. In urban areas of Texas, as much as half of the water supply is used for landscape and garden watering. Using compost and mulch helps the soil absorb and retain moisture, which can reduce watering requirements by fifty percent and reduce runoff into lakes and streams. Mulch and compost also insulate grasses and other plants against extreme heat and cold, and slowly release nutrients that promote plant growth and resistance to pests and diseases.

Texas Recycles Day events highlight numerous solutions for simple and inexpensive waste reduction such as composting and recycling.

Sample Texas Recycles Day events:

• Recycle for Reuse -- Sugar Land
• Fall Extravaganza -- New Caney
• Cans for Critters -- Houston Zoo
• Rally at the Recycle Center -- Pearland

Communities statewide are participating. Call 1-800-CLEAN-TX or visit www.texasrecyclesday.org for event locations, information, and free materials.

The Houston Galveston Area Council has a FREE 22-page recycle guide and an insert that promotes recycling within apartment complexes. Stop by the Girl Scout Center for copies or contact Julie Deeter at 713-292-0203 or jdeeter@sjgs.org.

If you decide to participate in Texas Recycles Day, send a picture in to be included in an upcoming The Golden Link issue.