Members and guests of the General Federation of Women’s Club-Tellico Village are gathering 1:30-3:30 p.m. Thursday at Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church to sew, stuff and stitch pillows for area breast cancer patients.
The club began making pillows for breast cancer patients in 2021. Martha Velez, co-recording secretary, and a few other women gathered in her home to make 50 pillows after a different service project fell through.
Seeing the impact those pillows made, the women decided to enlist the help of the entire club.
The club has since hosted two gatherings a year to make U-shaped pillows, drain bag aprons and port pillows for the car. The items hopefully alleviate some of the pain experienced by patients.
The project is a community effort. While some sew pillows, others stuff them. The pillows are then whipstitched and packaged with the inspirational blessing: “A strong woman knows she has strength enough for the journey … but a woman of strength knows it is on the journey that she will become strong.”
Once finished, club members deliver the items to the Knoxville Comprehensive Breast Center, Thompson Cancer Center, UT Hospital and Tennessee Cancer Specialists.
Nancy Gregg, club second vice president, said the club wants people within the community to come together for the effort that is bigger than a singular person or club. People wanting to come Thursday don’t need to have sewing experience or be a member of the club.
“This has become a really big project for us, so there’s obviously a lot of interest and a lot of need in (our) area for … support like this for women who are undergoing breast cancer treatment,” Gregg said.
The project has resonated with club members and women in the greater community. During each pillow event, numerous volunteers participate in remembrance and honor of those they lost and others who survived cancer.
“It’s been heartwarming to see the women come together,” Velez said. “Women are all sitting around the tables, they’re stuffing pillows and they’re all talking about their experiences. It kind of has grown into a (form of) therapy.
“... Every woman’s experience is different, but, at the same time, they all have the commonality of breast cancer,” she added.
Nearly 240,000 women and 2,100 men are diagnosed with breast cancer each year in the United States.
The items are made in a variety of colors to accommodate men and women. Last year, a club member received a phone call from a woman who explained how excited her husband was to not have a pink pillow to use during his treatment. Velez said she has since made sure to find fabrics of all colors and patterns.
Since the initiative began three years ago, prices for materials have almost tripled in price. Velez said she knew last year that without extra help or donations, hosting the event on the level it had grown to wouldn’t be possible.
Then Velez met Ingrid Schalk.
A Village resident, Schalk been involved in countless service projects in the community for years, especially if it involves working with her hands. Schalk said last summer she learned about the project and knew she wanted to get involved.
During the event, Velez heard Schalk potentially had access to a grant that could eliminate the expensive poly-fil stuffing obstacle.
Schalk and Velez have since worked together to find poly-fil and use coupons for the best price. The pair was able to purchase more than 100 pounds for upcoming events.
“It’s bigger than just the pillow project that they’re doing for these cancer survivors,” Schalk said. “It’s building our community, too. … The project drew me there, but what I discovered was so much more.”
Anyone who would like to join the club Thursday is welcome and may bring sewing machines if able.
