Why I craft for charity

I know I had my own "inspiration" to start sewing for charity in my experience with Alex. But I have found more inspiration as the months have gone by. This was posted on my crafting for charity board...(I did not make this particular outfit, but participated in donating other items for this particular hospital)...

We had given a "buddy" set from Suzanne H and Sue C to one of the nurses to take to her baby. Mom and Dad were with baby and ask that we come talk to them for a moment. They were very thankful for all the wonderful items that we had brought for their little girl. I had ask our "tour guide" if I could take a couple of general NICU pics. She said that would be all right as long as we didn't show babies or name tags. She thought that Mom and Dad would let us take pics of their little princess and gained permission (after a quick diaper change) for us to take pictures. Dad was a complete "take charge" guy and made sure that his little girl was completely dressed and ready to be our little "poster girl" (he even got the booties on over the sleeper feet *grin* You should have seen these big hands handling the tiny booties and tinnier little feet!!). When baby was all dressed and ready for the camera Dad placed the blanket in Mom's arms and then put his tiny little daughter into her arms. When Mom tried to wrap baby up Dad said "no, we want all of her outfit to show"! Our little princess, who so patiently let Mom and Dad dress her sat uncomplaining to have her picture taken. She did squint when the flash went off, but no fussing!! Dad was really excited about having his daughters photo shared with you and wanted to see it too (even though he grabbed his camera and took pictures while I was taking some). I got Dad's email address and will send him copies of the NICU pictures. Mom and Dad both thanked all of us (several times) for making and sharing the preemie sized items with them. They wanted you to know that they mean a lot to them.

As we were wrapping up our visit and getting ready to leave the NICU the patient coordinator (our "tour guide" for the day) ask to see us in her office. If you're prone to tears you should stop reading now *sad smile* She shared with us a little about our tiny NICU princess. She said that we had made the day for the Mom and Dad. Baby has a genetic problem that will be fatal for her, she will never live to have a real Halloween. Mom has been having a tough time coping with this information. Through AC4C and the love and talents of our members this family was given a brief moment of "normalcy" with their little girl. She was all dressed up for Halloween like any healthy child with Mom and Dad fussing about how her clothes fit and how she looked. After hearing her story I understood better why Dad was so thankful for what we had brought them. It wasn't just some cute clothing that actually fit their 4-pound daughter, it was a few minutes of joy where just the act of sharing a cute Halloween costume/outfit with 4 strangers gave them some normal, non-medical, time with their baby.