Santa Paula Hospital, the “Hospital on the Hill” has many friends and supporters, but none more dedicated than the Santa Paula Hospital Auxiliary Sewing Committee. Three dedicated women, Carolyn Laskey, Jane Duchacek and Marilyn Marson, all of Fillmore, meet every Monday morning for three hours in the conference room of the hospital’s James Knight Administration Building, to create wonderful gift items for SPH patients and their families.

Laskey, began volunteering twenty-five years ago when the hospital was known as Santa Paula Memorial Hospital. She currently volunteers at the front desk on Thursdays. Marson volunteers at the front desk on Friday mornings while Duchacek works in the gift shop. The ambitious core group, brought together by Marson in May 2008 produce soft, stuffed creatures including teddy bears, fish, kittens, ducks and other endearing creatures for child patients, as well as knitted caps and flannel blankets with whimsical patterns for newborns. With help from Friends of the Auxiliary, they completed 93 cuddly animals, 36 blankets, 4 afghans, 21 pillows, 25 NICU pillows, 72 caps, 7 Christmas stockings, and a wonderful fundraiser quilt.

During Christmas week, newborns will receive an extra special gift, hand made “stocking type boots”. The ladies are also working on white, stretchy, loomed beanie caps with green and red tassels to be given to the newborn babes throughout December.

Laskey, Duchacek and Marson also take projects home in order to keep up with the demand. The work keeps growing as SPH, a satellite campus of Ventura County Medical Center expands its service, and they are looking for additional volunteers for this worthwhile endeavor.

To help raise funds for materials and supplies, the industrious trio held an opportunity drawing for a beautiful bunny quilt. Supportive hospital staff and employees helped raise $275 through ticket donations, earmarked for a new batch of precious creations. The drawing was held on November 12. Marivel Avila, Fillmore resident and an employee at VCMC’s main campus, was the lucky winner.

You do not need to know how to sew if you would like to volunteer your time. Stuffers and pattern cutters are welcomed. Donations of fabrics, thread, baby yarn and other related items are always appreciated as well. Join the Santa Paula Hospital Auxiliary Sewing Committee and you will find that their motto is true, “A Stitch in Time Saves the Mind”. As a bonus, your efforts will make others feel good too.

For information, to donate or to volunteer, please call:
Debbie Hill, Director of Volunteer Services, (805)652-6695