Generations work together to help out the newest generation that is just making its debut into the world. That is what the layette project at Trinity Lutheran Church has accomplished.
Residents of the Spring Grove Manor and other volunteers gathered together to fold cloth diapers that are included in the layettes. The ladies had 125 dozen diapers (1,500 diapers) to fold; each layette contains four diapers.
"We enjoy getting together and working on a project like this," said Norma Reed. "It is for a good cause and we enjoy the fellowship with each other that goes along with it!"
A few weeks later, another generation gathered together and assembled the layettes. The eighth grade confirmation students at Trinity Lutheran Church spent their usual confirmation class time carefully choosing each piece of the layette and assembling it into a package.
"It was cool looking at all of the baby clothes," commented student Sammi Boyd. "There were a lot to put together."
WELCA (Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) members also helped do the final packaging of the layettes that same evening - generations working together. Four hundred and three layettes were assembled that evening for the newest generation entering the world.
"The kids did a really good job," remarked Karen Gray, coordinator of the layette project. "They made every effort to make each layette as good as they could make it. We ran out of receiving blankets or we could have made even more layettes."
"It made me feel good knowing where these packages were going," added student Aly Folz.
In addition to the 403 layettes assembled that evening that will go to South St. Paul to the Lutheran World Relief organization for distribution to needy moms worldwide, Valborg Clauson also made 75 layettes.
Ten additional layettes were assembled that will stay here in Houston County and 15 additional ones were assembled to go to Gundersen-Lutheran Hospital.
Each layette contains two blankets (flannel or fleece), two undershirts or Onesies®, two gowns or sleepers (with or without feet), four flat cloth diapers, one sweater, two washcloths, one bath-sized bar of Ivory soap, and two diaper pins. The items are not always new, but can also be gently used.
Throughout the year Gray, along with many friends and other volunteers, collect items for the layettes. They shop garage sales and consignment shops for quality used items, go to sales at stores, etc. Many people donate items or fabric that is made into the many blankets that are needed.
Once it is time to assemble the layettes, residents from Sunrise Recovery Home help haul the many tubs of items to the church. Volunteers then spend a couple days sorting and arranging the items by color and size.
"We like to make the packages color coordinated and try to give them more than one size of sleeper and undershirt," Gray explained.
According to Lutheran World Relief's website, www.lwr.org, it costs approximately $1.30 to ship a layette overseas.
One example of where these layettes go is to Mali. According to the LWR website, "In Mali, many women receive no medical care during their pregnancies or deliveries. Oftentimes, this leads to health problems for the baby or mother, and sometimes even death."
It continues, "In this LWR program (Lutheran World Relief village health project), midwives are not just trained, but also equipped with LWR layettes to distribute to mothers after they deliver. This special gift that a midwife has to offer expectant mothers is oftentimes just what it takes to motivate them to participate in prenatal, delivery and postnatal care."
If anyone is interested in helping with the Trinity Lutheran Church layette project by donating blankets, fabric, diapers, clothing, money, or time, contact Gray, at (507) 498-5617. Donated items may be left at Trinity Lutheran Church in Spring Grove.
"It was fun making things to help other people," said student Laura Johnson. "It made me feel good."
