Shipley Students Sew to Help Other Children

Betsy Leschinsky, a 5th grade teacher at The Shipley School in Bryn Mawr, runs an after-school sewing club in the Lower School.

Recently, the club collected brightly colored fabric which they cut and stitched into charming pillows, each with an outside pocket.

Into the pocket they tucked thoughtfulness and caring in the form of activities such as coloring books, crayons, colored pencils, playing cards, stickers, simple games and candies. Next came wrapping and ribbon. Three laundry baskets were needed to transport the pillows to their intended recipients.

Her kids chose The Toy Closet at Bryn Mawr Hospital’s Inpatient Pediatric Unit as their project’s beneficiary.

On December 17, Shipley 5th graders Taylor Shinal and Jonathan Kimmel, accompanied by their mothers, proudly presented the Shipley Sewing Club’s creations, much to the delight of the nursing staff and, most especially, several lucky little patients.

While she regrets that she was unable to help deliver the pillows, Mrs. Leschinsky was understandably pleased when assured that her students’ handiwork will promote healing through play for little boys and girls confined to a hospital bed.

“I’m so happy the pillows were well received”, she writes. “Let me know if there is anything else we can do—blankets next??”

This information was provided by Main Line Health.