It all started with a pair of sandals…
West Philadelphia Senior Community Center Member Ruth Gaskins first heard of making ‘pillowcase dresses’ for orphaned girls living in Uganda through New Cannan Baptist Church in West Philadelphia.
After she made her first few dresses and had them shipped to Uganda, she received a special gift from the children. A simple pair of sandals.
Moved by the gesture, Ms. Gaskins decided to do more- she committed herself to deliver 100 dresses to the children. She brought the idea of having the WPSCC Quilting Class make the dresses to WPSCC program Manager Rose Richardson. Rose quickly agreed the class could help with the project and that Members could donate supplies if they wished. The Quilting Class wholeheartedly agreed to help with the project and got to work sewing different colorful patterns and designs.
On January 12, Ms. Gaskins and the Quilting Class delivered the completed dresses to New Cannan Baptist Church representatives who would handle the delivery to Uganda. (See video below)
On Valentine’s Day, Ms. Gaskins and Rose received pictures of the young children with their new dresses.
“Upon seeing the pictures, my eyes welled with tears,” said Rose. “Who would have thought that such a small gesture of kindness from our seniors would go so far. I am absolutely thrilled!”
To learn more about giving to the West Philadelphia Senior Community Center, click here.
