Students make pillowcases for children

The humming of sewing machines and the metallic snapping of scissors cutting fabric while students excitedly chatter could be heard coming from the classroom of Mary Springhorn at Anderson Union High School.

Her first, second, and third period Life Skills classes were at work creating pillowcases to donate to the Sutter General Children's Cancer Center in Sacramento. After each student finished their pillowcase, they would sit down and create a card to go with it for the child who would be receiving their creation. Springhorn said 50 pillowcases would make there way down to the children in time for Valentines Day.

"Every time a child comes into the hospital, they let them pick out their pillowcase, it belongs to them and when they leave they get to take it with them," said Springhorn.

She said the students in her classes didn't know how to sew a few weeks ago and they are making pillowcases and working on other sewing projects of their own.

She broke the students up into teams, not sure what to expect, but said her student exceeded her expectations. She said with the scraps students are making scrunchies, which will be donated as well, but she isn't sure where as of right now.

Scott Booth, the principal of AUHS, stopped by the class to see the progress of his students, looking in on the progress of different teams and giving them words of encouragement.

Before Booth left the classroom he told the students he was very proud of them and the work they had done, and that the children were going to love getting the pillowcases they had made for them.

Springhorn said in the past they had made lap blankets for the senior home, but wanted to try something new this year.

"It's serious stuff doing something for someone else. It helps teach them empathy," she said. "The biggest part is empathy because they can understand what someone else is going through. I told them some of those children never leave that hospital."

She added that many students didn't believe they could sew and some even wanted to check out of the class, but she told them to trust her and that after six weeks they'd never have to sew again if they didn't want to.

"You have to give students opportunities to learn and try new things."

© 2010 Anderson Valley Post. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.