Hearts and Hands 2011

Saturday was our 11th and final Hearts and Hands service project.

We spent the day pinning,

tacking,

sorting,

packaging,

tying,

cutting,

finishing,

 and organizing.

As always, we are amazed and touched by the amount of donations that poured in.

We are grateful for every donated pencil, diaper, backpack, can of food, and clothing item given.

Those who receive these goods are so thankful.

We know many incredible women who spent this past year piecing and finishing quilts, putting together clothing protectors, and collecting needed goods.

Thank you to the sisters who brought the delicious soups for our luncheon.

 I sampled several of the soups, but couldn't quite decide which was yummiest.

Hearts and Hands has always been a great place to see old friends,  

catch up on each other's lives

and enjoy the company of our sisters.

Naturally, this year was no exception!

 Thank you to each sister who came and spent an hour or the day working.

We know you are busy in your own lives.

Last year when we picked the day for Hearts and Hands

we tried hard to pick a "free" day.

Of course, over time we discovered we picked the same day as the scout show and prom.

 We know many of you wanted to be with us, but had personal or family responsibilities today.  We missed you, but we understand.

Hopefully, if you came you had a chance to meet some of the great people who come from other churches in the area.  These wonderful young men have been coming with Pastor Mike from the Community Church for many years.

We will be sad to see the end of Hearts and Hands, but we also feel good about the decision to turn things over the wards and branches.  

Of course, we encourage each of you to find ways to give community service on your own.

We can even provide you with a list of the fabulous charities we've worked with over these last years.  If you are interested contact Francine Palmer or Rexene Tilley for this list, as well as information about the kind of donations we having been providing them.

There are many local organizations that would appreciate your time.

Thank you, sisters, for making Hearts and Hands such a positive, successful project each year.

Maybe you went home like I did: sore muscles, tender, bleeding fingertips,

 

but a heart full of gladness for the privilege of serving

and a deeper appreciation for my own blessings.

 By the end of the day our distribution tables were again overflowing.

We give a special thanks to the sisters from both stakes who were ward and branch coordinators, project leaders, creators of posters and advertising, and organizers of all kinds.  Thank you, Francine and Rexene for all of the time and effort you put into making this year's event so wonderful.

We are indebted to priesthood brethren from several wards who set up hundreds of chairs and tables, then came and took them down and helped us clean up.

 We love our missionaries who cheerfully loaded waiting charity vans and chairs with our finished products.