M.O.M. to Moms logo and more exciting news...

We've got an official M.O.M. to Moms logo! How do you like it? I love it! Our family got to have a "say" in what we were hoping for in a logo but Senad really was the clever graphic designer that made it all come together. Senad is Archie's sister-in-law's brother. I know you might have to read that again. We met through facebook. He is a graphic designer in Des Moines and made this logo as a gift to us. Awesome! The feet are designed to also look like 2 mothers facing each other. The big toes are their heads. The little toes can be their braids or even babies in a papoose. I just received cloth labels in the mail this week and already have sewn a few onto the blankets that I'm making... so we now have our own "clothing label." hahaha. Aren't you so impressed? I've learned a lot about clothing labels in the last few weeks. That's felt like a weird thing to learn about. : ) I'm actually amazed at how expensive they can be.

In other exciting news, we've taken another big step today with M.O.M. to Moms and we committed to hosting a baked potato bar at the MCC sale (http://www.mennonitesale.org/) on September 24-25. This means that we are going to need to be prepared to sell about 500 plates of loaded baked potatoes. That's our current estimate. The MCC committee is going to talk about it and try to come up with a firm prediction for numbers of people our booth would actually serve and then we can start planning. They also agreed that 100% of the donations/profit that come through our booth can be designated for MCC Newborn Kits in honor of Michelle's memory. How great is that? So, anyone want to help work some shifts at the sale and sell baked potatoes? We would love to have your help! Some of the ladies from work have already "signed up" on our sign-up sheet (that only exists in our minds right now). We've got all kinds of ideas about wearing matching t-shirts or hoodies with our logo, having a display of Newborn Kits present and may be decorating the tables with Mr. Potato Heads. Do you have any clever ideas for us? Our family would love to have your help, in whatever way you want to give it.

Thanks everyone!

Hoping I can return your love and support some day, some how.

Leah

M.O.M. to Moms update

Madison and Quinn both learned how to make simple fleece baby blankets. We've made a total of 34 so far at our house.


My friend Erica delivered our very first M.O.M. to Moms kits personally in Haiti in April. She hand carried 4. She said the need is unbelievable and people basically only have the clothes on their backs. Each of the 4 moms/grandmoms were very thankful!

Our collection of 83 kits filled a large bin at the MCC Material Resource Center on Michelle's birthday!

I'm so sorry I've been ignoring my blog! Facebook just seems so much easier right now but I've realized that quite a few of you aren't on FB and would like info too. I will try to do better!

We have turned in a total of 94 newborn kits in honor of Michelle! This far exceeds our goal of 38. We are all very excited about that and also still feel good vibes and encouragement from all of you to keep this going. We are contemplating on what the future holds for M.O.M. to Moms. I've had several good conversations with Nadine at the MCC Material Resource Center. They are able to give receipts for tax purposes to anyone that would like one. Just let me know and I will work that out with her. If you write the check to me, I will cash it, turn it into baby loot and get you a receipt from MCC. I'm trying very hard NOT to go through the hoops of becoming a formal non-profit company and so far MCC is very willing to work with us. The ladies at the MCC resource center are all so nice and friendly. When Madison and I dropped off 83 kits (at that time) on Michelle's birthday, they held hands with us around all of those colorful bundles and said a prayer of dedication for them. Praying that the moms who received the kits would feel the love that we put into making them. When a "outsider" shares tears with you, you know they have genuine hearts.

I've revised the flier for M.O.M. to Moms and I will post that on my blog too. Look in the right hand margin for a link if you don't see it. We are doing some brainstorming at my house. We are considering having a food booth at the MCC Sale here in Goshen, IN and raising funds for M.O.M.s. We know we can't expect the same people to donate over and over again and having a fund raiser seems a logical next step. Madison suggested a baked potato bar so we are throwing that around. The sale is Sept 24-25 which is a Friday/Sat. It's the largest MCC sale in North America so that's a plus! We are still mulling over that idea. What do you think?

Here is a what a newborn kit looks like on the inside of the bundle.