A bag for hope

Lynne, a retired teacher, knew of a group of women who had sewed and sold handmade items to raise funds for their local food bank. Lynne thought that concept could be used in Tallahassee to raise money for children in need. Collaborating with her friend, Libby Penrod, a retired nurse and seamstress with ties to Family Promise (formerly The Hope Community) the two of them had their first sale, raising $130. That was in 2009.

Today the group has grown to 30+ sewers and has raised over $150,000 to provide the children of Family Promise with needed items. The group is housed in a room generously provided by Fellowship Presbyterian Church in Tallahassee where they sort and store donated fabrics and completed items.

The money raised has established a library and completed a playground. It provides for restoring lost documentation such as birth certificates or social security cards. It makes participating possible by purchasing prom clothing and paying camp expenses. It allows a child to succeed by purchasing eye glasses, school supplies and uniforms. In other words, while the parent is getting back on their feet, a child’s world is able go on.