Wow! Did you know that last year almost 14,000 newborn kits were distributed by MCC? Here's an article about a neat school project that is seeing newborn kits being made.
http://canada.mcc.org/stories/news/home-ec-students
Thursday 26 January 2012
Wednesday 7 September 2011
Epilogue
When we set out to collect kits, we wanted to honour our fourth child. On August 24 we welcomed Matthew into our family. As of Matthew's birth, we collected a total of 42 kits (41 that were gathered at our "shower" plus an extra kit that my aunt and cousin took directly to MCC).
We Fabrizis are so touched by the generosity and love you all shared. Thank you for giving the wonderful gift of a newborn kit to 42 moms and babies and thank you for honouring our little man Matthew in such a beautiful way.
May God's blessings be upon all those who have shared in this experience, from those who bought and sewed baby items, to those who shipped and handled the kits along the way, to the parents and babies who will soon receive these clothes and blankets.
Love
Jennifer, Richard, Grace, Benjamin, Sean and Matthew
Saturday 20 August 2011
Farewell, kits. Enjoy your new families.
Thursday morning the kids and I packed newborn kits into all of our reusable shopping bags.
We loaded up the back of the van..
..and hit the road. Early in the afternoon we arrived with the kits at MCC Ontario (MCCO)'s Kitchener warehouse.
We were warmly welcomed at the warehouse and after unloading the kits we were given a tour of the place.
The kids and I found out that the newborn kits are bundled in bales of 48 kits (woo hoo, we almost made an entire bale!), then trucked to Manitoba where they are joined by donations from across Canada. Next, they are loaded into a container that is sent by train and then boat to their final destination. At the warehouse, we saw the baler squash a large bundle of blankets together. We saw a number of AIDS caregiver kits and relief kits that were ready to be shipped out. We saw hundreds of notebooks, pencils, and boxes of pencil crayons that will soon be assembled into school kits. We saw a large quilt being tied by three men working around a huge quilt-tying frame. It was such a great place.
Thank you MCCO staff for the great visit.
Well, I have to admit that I'm a little sad to see the kits go. The playpen is empty. There are no more stacks of diapers, undershirts, and socks crowding the crib. I am happy to have the space back as our little man will be making his appearance in a little over two weeks. But, there was an excitement and pastel-coloured flannel fullness that will be missed.
I guess we Fabrizis have officially caught the kit-building bug! If YOU have also caught the kit-building bug, you need not fear the pain of withdrawal! You have the links to all of the MCC kit lists and you can build any kit at any time and mail it or drop it off at any of their locations. And if you have a kit-building party please invite me too! The people at MCCO told me they are busily getting their school kits ready (these kits mostly stay in North America) so why not grab a couple sets while you're doing your back-to-school shopping?
One final note: after the kits were all built we had some extra items including a massive pile of onesies, leggings, and pyjamas (thanks to our awesome neighbours Richelle and Zee). These extra pieces will be going to kids in Rwanda via Shelter Them. I encourage you to go and see what they're all about.
We were warmly welcomed at the warehouse and after unloading the kits we were given a tour of the place.
The kids and I found out that the newborn kits are bundled in bales of 48 kits (woo hoo, we almost made an entire bale!), then trucked to Manitoba where they are joined by donations from across Canada. Next, they are loaded into a container that is sent by train and then boat to their final destination. At the warehouse, we saw the baler squash a large bundle of blankets together. We saw a number of AIDS caregiver kits and relief kits that were ready to be shipped out. We saw hundreds of notebooks, pencils, and boxes of pencil crayons that will soon be assembled into school kits. We saw a large quilt being tied by three men working around a huge quilt-tying frame. It was such a great place.
Thank you MCCO staff for the great visit.
Well, I have to admit that I'm a little sad to see the kits go. The playpen is empty. There are no more stacks of diapers, undershirts, and socks crowding the crib. I am happy to have the space back as our little man will be making his appearance in a little over two weeks. But, there was an excitement and pastel-coloured flannel fullness that will be missed.
I guess we Fabrizis have officially caught the kit-building bug! If YOU have also caught the kit-building bug, you need not fear the pain of withdrawal! You have the links to all of the MCC kit lists and you can build any kit at any time and mail it or drop it off at any of their locations. And if you have a kit-building party please invite me too! The people at MCCO told me they are busily getting their school kits ready (these kits mostly stay in North America) so why not grab a couple sets while you're doing your back-to-school shopping?
One final note: after the kits were all built we had some extra items including a massive pile of onesies, leggings, and pyjamas (thanks to our awesome neighbours Richelle and Zee). These extra pieces will be going to kids in Rwanda via Shelter Them. I encourage you to go and see what they're all about.
Sunday 14 August 2011
THANK YOU!!
Curious to see what a pile of 38 newborn kits looks like?
Our playpen runneth over! Thanks to everyone who lovingly shopped, crocheted, and sewed baby items. Thank to everyone who gave of their time, their efforts, their resources, and their support. Thanks to everyone who pricked their fingers on diaper pins but kept on going. Thanks to everyone who went from store to store to store looking for flat-fold diapers or flannel pajamas.
Lots of love,
Jen, Rich, Grace, Ben, and Sean xoxoxo
Saturday 6 August 2011
Countdown to the shower!
It is one week until the baby shower for MCC! If you are planning to attend, please let us know. Thanks!
Friday 22 July 2011
Newborn kits in the news
Dear friends,
I thought you might be interested in reading about some of the families who have previously received newborn kits through MCC.
https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/MOM-to-Moms/372949578250
http://reliefweb.int/node/118080
http://forrysnic.blogspot.com/2010/03/mcc-kits-brighten-some-faces.html
The M.O.M to Moms group on facebook is really worth checking out. It was set up as a memorial to Michelle Omic who passed away suddenly while five months pregnant with her third child. Established by Michelle's grieving family, this organization has built and distributed an incredible number of kits and has posted several photos and videos of kits being distributed around the world.
I thought you might be interested in reading about some of the families who have previously received newborn kits through MCC.
https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/MOM-to-Moms/372949578250
http://reliefweb.int/node/118080
http://forrysnic.blogspot.com/2010/03/mcc-kits-brighten-some-faces.html
The M.O.M to Moms group on facebook is really worth checking out. It was set up as a memorial to Michelle Omic who passed away suddenly while five months pregnant with her third child. Established by Michelle's grieving family, this organization has built and distributed an incredible number of kits and has posted several photos and videos of kits being distributed around the world.
Friday 8 July 2011
First Kits!
I was thrilled to receive the first two completed newborn kits in the mail today from my beloved aunt Lorraine! I'm having some camera difficulties, but I'll post a picture of these beautiful parcels as soon as I can. Maybe it's the sweet smell of the baby soap, or the soft texture of the fabrics, or the gentle colours, but my heart feels all a-flutter when I hold these kits in my hands.
I have been posting some updates in the facebook group, but not as frequently on the blog. So, here in a nutshell are some of the things I wanted to let you all know:
1) We can use safety pins instead of diaper pins - they should be 2 inches / 5 cm long, but diaper pins are okay too. (If you aren't familiar with pin intricacies, basically, diaper pins are the kind of safety pins that have plastic heads on them. Safety pins are purely steel. Safety pins do come in different sizes, so be sure to get 2 inch / 5 cm pins.)
2) Because we can use safety pins, which are readily available (whereas diaper pins are not as easy to find), I will NOT be ordering a bulk package of pins. If you were relying on me for pins, and you think you'll have difficulty locating safety pins please let me know as soon as you can and I will get some for you. Don't forget to tell me how many kits you are making.
3) Diapers, if hand-sewn, should measure 27" by 27" or 69 cm by 69 cm. Flat diapers are basically squares of flannel or other diaper-specific material. Kushies, Small Wonders, and Gerber all make flat diapers. Kushies can be purchased at Sears, Small Wonders can be purchased at Zellers. Gerber diapers are more readily available in the states, where you can find them at Target, Toys R Us and Walmart. I haven't looked at Walmart here yet, so I'm not sure if they carry flat diapers or not. Anyone know?
Well, I just want to close by thanking all of you who have committed to make kits. I feel so honoured that you have chosen to be a part of this project alongside my family. Please let me know how your kits are coming along. If you have a picture of a kit you've made, I'd love to show it here!
Peace to you,
Jen
I have been posting some updates in the facebook group, but not as frequently on the blog. So, here in a nutshell are some of the things I wanted to let you all know:
1) We can use safety pins instead of diaper pins - they should be 2 inches / 5 cm long, but diaper pins are okay too. (If you aren't familiar with pin intricacies, basically, diaper pins are the kind of safety pins that have plastic heads on them. Safety pins are purely steel. Safety pins do come in different sizes, so be sure to get 2 inch / 5 cm pins.)
2) Because we can use safety pins, which are readily available (whereas diaper pins are not as easy to find), I will NOT be ordering a bulk package of pins. If you were relying on me for pins, and you think you'll have difficulty locating safety pins please let me know as soon as you can and I will get some for you. Don't forget to tell me how many kits you are making.
3) Diapers, if hand-sewn, should measure 27" by 27" or 69 cm by 69 cm. Flat diapers are basically squares of flannel or other diaper-specific material. Kushies, Small Wonders, and Gerber all make flat diapers. Kushies can be purchased at Sears, Small Wonders can be purchased at Zellers. Gerber diapers are more readily available in the states, where you can find them at Target, Toys R Us and Walmart. I haven't looked at Walmart here yet, so I'm not sure if they carry flat diapers or not. Anyone know?
Well, I just want to close by thanking all of you who have committed to make kits. I feel so honoured that you have chosen to be a part of this project alongside my family. Please let me know how your kits are coming along. If you have a picture of a kit you've made, I'd love to show it here!
Peace to you,
Jen
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