The Painted Turtle

If you watched The Celebrity Apprentice this season, you know that Meatloaf's charity was called The Painted Turtle. It's a camp here in Southern California for children with life threatening illnesses. Just a place where they can have fun and feel normal for a while.

Dave has always crocheted beautifully. His mom taught him 40 years ago. He makes afghans and baby blankets, ponchos, scarves, and wraps. I can crochet too, but he's better than I am.

Recently we started getting together with some friends here at Golden Acres on Thursday afternoons to crochet, knit, needlepoint, whatever, and visit. We try to do something for charity. Last fall we made helmet liners for the troops in Afghanistan. Then we made booties for the newborns at the hospital. One lady made hats for the babies. Dave has made probably a dozen blankets for the homeless shelter. I'll post a picture of those. We accept donated yarn and make them into things that other people can use.
Once we heard about The Painted Turtle, Dave contacted the director and found that they like to have a handmade quilt or blanket for each child's bed, that they can take home with them. Some of the parents have written to say how much the blankets mean to the kids, and that they even take them to the hospital with them when they have to go.
We decided that this is where our work needs to go. So now we are making blankets for the sick kids at the Painted Turtle camp. If you'd like to do something for a kid that will really put a smile on your heart, here is their website:
www.thepaintedturtle.org