Members of Baldwinsville’s First Presbyterian Church were looking for a new mission project to benefit Central New York. They uncovered Project Pillowcase, part of Griffin’s Guardians, a non-profit whose main goal is to raise funds for and an awareness of childhood cancers. The pillowcase idea is spearheaded by the grandmother of 7-year-old Griffin Engle, who lost a 13-month battle with brain cancer in September of 2014. She witnessed the joy the gift of a single pillowcase provided.
During the cold months of January and February, 13 individuals at the church gathered up their sewing machines, irons and ironing boards to sew up a storm in the church’s Education Center. The resulting 171 colorful cases will be donated to Syracuse’s Golisano Children’s Hospital where children who are patients will select and get to keep the design of their choice. This batch of cases features favorite super heroes, pets, storybook characters — everything from airplanes to zebras.
All 171 pillowcases were displayed in the Presbyterian Church sanctuary for their dedication during worship on Sunday, Feb. 18.
“We’ve had fun together,” commented Barb Winegard, who, along with Bea Boak, coordinated the project. “We feel rewarded knowing that sick children will be delighted to choose their own special pillowcase to be used at the hospital and taken home with them.”
You can learn more about Project Pillowcase and Griffin’s Guardians at griffinsguardians.org/project-pillowcase.
