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February 12, 2010 This article was contributed by Dr. Carol Tomlinson, our Bluffs' neighbor and Website Committee member. The Joyful Foundation in the Bluffs  Each month a wonderful group of women meet in the Bluffs to be part of a project that sews thousands of cozy fleece blankets for hospital patients. Sandy Berg-Whiley started the Joyful Foundation as a result of her own experience. Sandy receives treatments for a chronic illness and during her treatments she was very cold and uncomfortable. Her mother made her a warm fleece blanket to take for future treatments and Sandy realized how much it helped both physically and emotionally by boosting her spirits. She soon started making blankets for other patients receiving chemotherapy or infusion treatments.
The Joyful Foundation’s mission is built on compassion for the individual and belief in the ability to change a life with one small act of kindness at a time. It was felt that it’s not only the chemicals that cure people, but also the human touch. There are now Joyful groups all over Los Angeles and Orange County making blankets.
One example of the impact these blankets have on their recipients is Chase, a 6 year old who was diagnosed with a brain tumor when he was 5. While at CHOC Children’s Hospital in intensive care, Chase was given a Joyful Foundation blanket. Recently Sandy met Chase and his mom, Stephanie at the hospital. He was being admitted for his 9th and final round of chemo. He had his blanket in hand.
The Bluffs Joyful group made over 500 blankets last year for Hoag Hospital, UCI Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, and the Cornelia Knott Wellness Foundation in Orange. The Bluff’s group meets the second Tuesday of each month and is led by Sandy Meadows, a nurse who loves to sew. She felt the foundation offered her a great opportunity to help many people who are experiencing difficult medical situations. Joining Sandy on a recent Tuesday were regulars Millie de la Cruz, Winona Holloway, Carol Bramwell, Jackie Melbon, and Doris Talbot.
If you stop by a Joyful Tuesday morning, you’ll see people sewing, cutting, hand stitching, and organizing. If you’d like to make a difference in a big way, join the Joyful group on the second Tuesday of the month in the Fiesta Room at the Bluffs Association office from 9am to Noon. The atmosphere is wonderful….full of laughs, sharing, and caring. It doesn’t matter if you know how to sew. There are plenty of easy opportunities to make a difference.
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This website is produced for the information of residents of the Bluffs.
This website is authorized by the Bluffs Homeowners Community Association.
This website is authorized by the Bluffs Homeowners Community Association.
