Community Service Policy

Using our sewing skills to provide assistance to others is a primary goal of the Chicago Chapter.

Members are encouraged to take part in projects which benefit those in need without any anticipation of financial gain. Organizations such as hospitals, nursing homes, welfare groups, schools, armed service units, and facilities for the disabled are among those that benefit from our Community Service participation.
The Community Service Coordinator maintains a file of appropriate projects and submits semi-annual reports to the National Office listing receiving organizations, the number of members participating in projects and the number of hours spent on those projects.

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February 25, 2012: Evening Bag Sew-In for the Glass Slipper Project
The Glass Slipper Project needs evening bags and Sew Chicago is ready to help. Renee will guide us through the process of making one-of-a-kind creations for prom night. We will gather from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in two groups, one in the city (South Loop) and one in the suburbs (Elmhurst). Contact Wendy Grossman WendyGrossman@asgchicago.org for more information.

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The American Cancer Society has requested our ASG help in sewing for women with breast cancer.  Check out the patterns for these easy projects by clicking on the above link to Patterns.

The American Cancer Society has requested our ASG help in sewing for women with breast cancer.  Check out the patterns for these easy projects by clicking on the above link to Patterns.

The American Cancer Society has requested our ASG help in sewing for women with breast cancer.  Check out the patterns for these easy projects by clicking on the above link to Patterns.

The American Cancer Society has requested our ASG help in sewing for women with breast cancer.  Check out the patterns for these easy projects by clicking on the above link to Patterns.

Some of the things we have done.

July 1, 2010 through December 31, 2010 ASG has donated 2913 items, 
taking 3703 hours and 280 participants to various orginizations.

July 16, 2011
Arlington Heights Neighborhood group “Spoolin’ Around” held a Charity Sew In on July 16^th which was a
huge success.  The room was kindly donated by the Kingswood Church in Buffalo Grove.  We spent the day
completing many adult bibs for Clearbrook, Rolling Meadows, cancer pillows and bags for the
American Cancer Society and pillowcases for Ronald McDonald House. 
Our potluck salad lunch was enjoyed by all.

       
Judy and Karen                                                        Sharon, Johanna, Louise & Cindy
          

Johanna, Louise & Cindy                                            Gayle, Joann, DeAnna & Valerie 

 

 

Some of the attendees at the January 2011 sewing weekend held by the Tinley Park Neighborhood group show projects from their two full days of sewing.

  
The Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation, based in
Orland Park recieved toys and gifts from members of the American
Sewing Guild as a result of their annual Holiday party.  In Lieu of a
gift party exchange, women in the ASG's Tinley/Orland Park group
brought gifts for the Foundation which provides toys and games for
children going through treatment for caner.  Carol Rasmussen of
Oak Forest and Kim Gumienny of Chicago Ridge display a portion
of the many items donated to the Treasure Chest.

	From left, standing, Jay Watts, Louise Dergantz, June Sullivan, Rita Fallara and Pat Frederick; seated (from left) Betty Krainik, Sandy Migitz, Carol Rasmussen and Terri Kowalski
Pat Wilfinger and Delores Szynal cut out their fabric for the weekend sewing	Rita Fallara models a Curvy Girl dress she made for the Glass Slipper Project

  

Left to right:  Karen Schroyer, Sharon Sipla, Carol Brown, Sheila Cisko, Rita Gronberg

The ECHO Joint Agreement Communications Development Program, in South Holland, IL., received “Therapeutic Vests” for children with Autism.  These vests give sensory comfort to the children…..sew, members of the Batavia Neighborhood Group sent “portable hugs” to them.

  
Hug a bear... Love a bear...Make a bear? Carol Rasmussen and
Kim Guminenny hold Memory Bears, a new Community Service project
for ASG members.  The project is in response to a request from
VITAS Innovative Hospice Care which provides the bears to families as
a memory to a loved one.  The family supplies clothing the deceased wore
or a favorite blanket and VITAS needs our help in sewing and stuffing; 
VITAS provides everything needed for a complete bear.  They have
offices throughout Chicagoland.  Check out their website,
www.vitas.com or call 708-781-4400 for further information.






The pictures are from a January Sew-In held by the Tinley-Orland neighborhood group.  Twenty ASG members attended and completed adult clothes protectors, walker and wheelchair bags, lapquilts for wheelchair patients,  and hats, scarves and mittens for a homeless shelter and for Park Lawn School and Activity Center in Oak Lawn and fetal demise pouches for Newborns in Need.


On Feb. 6^th the Streamwood Branch, “Sew Much Fun”, of the American Sewing Guild delivered 21 bibs, 12 blankets, 15 burbee pads, 10 quilts, 5 blankets, 21 onesies, 2 shawls, 11 stuffed animals, and assorted baby products
(104 items in all) to the Fox Valley Pregnancy Center in South Elgin, Il. 



The Fox Valley Pregnancy Center has been serving the community for 20 years educating women on their options. 
The center offers many services including pregnancy tests, affordable medical care, referrals to adoption agencies,
help with practical items, ongoing mentoring and friendly support. 

 
 Shown is a picture of some of the members of the Streamwood
 group who worked on this project.

Left to right,  Nancy Nolan, Ginger Tamraz, Mary Illg,
Neva Whiteaker, Valda Miller, Janet Nadon,
Brenda Szendrol, and Camille Jensen.





                                                                    Homefront Hero Awarded to our
    Tinley/Orland Neighborhood group
    by Lt. Governor Pat Quinn

From left Carol Rasmussen, Marge Damm, Betty Krainik
and Pat Wilfinger

On Tuesday, December 18, 2007, Lt. Governor Pat Quinn
presented the Homefront Hero Awards to
23 Chicagoland-area individuals and organizations,
saluting their patriotism and efforts to lift the
morale of Illinois servicemembers deployed overseas.

The Homefront Hero awards are presented to people and organizations who are making a special effort to help our soldiers, military families and veterans.   

          “I am proud to honor these Homefront Heroes for their hard work,” Quinn said. “I salute their patriotism and thank them for their efforts in supporting our soldiers. These individuals, and the organizations they represent, are a shining example of how everyday people can make an extraordinary difference. 

Tinley/Orland Neighborhood Group of the American Sewing Guild has made hundreds of quilts and “ditties” – small bags that can be attached to wheelchairs and walkers – for veterans in hospitals and nursing homes across Illinois. The Tinley/Orland Neigborhood group of this national organization has 24 members and began sewing for veterans after the Masonic Lodge in Oak Forest allowed the Guild to meet at the Lodge. Since many Masons are also veterans, Guild members decided to show their appreciation by making patriotic quilts.  

Members show some of the completed projects: Standing from left, Kim Gumienny, Carol Murphy, Gert Wisniewski, Anny Trynoha, Dolly Walsh, Lavern Peters and Donna Blatt.  Sitting from left Marlene Rosenberg, Donna Heinz, Pat Kropack and Marge Damm.	Carol Murphy works on adult clothing protectors for Shady Oaks Camp and Park Lawn Center.
JoAnn Radja, Kim Guimenny and Gert Wisniewski work on the cutting table lining up projects for the sewers to complete	Dolly Walsh and Pat Kropack kept their sewing machines buzzing on walker bags for nurshing home patients