Hug-Me-Pillow Project

This ministry started in Jan. 2003 when the United Methodist Women expressed a desire to do something with their hands while they were having meetings. Pat Gregg had heard about the need for pillows for surgical patients to hold against their body to help with the pain of coughing. She called the Director of Volunteer Services for the Methodist Healthcare System, Karri Neely, and told her we would like to help. She said God must have been listening to her prayers because she really needed help. Karri and Pat got together and worked out the details. The Methodist Healthcare System provides the material and pattern to make the pillows, which are heart-shaped. We cut out and sew the pillow covers leaving a 6-inch opening in the side for stuffing. Next Karri has a printer who puts the hospital's name and logo on the outside of the pillow for free, and then she returns them to Pat with the stuffing to fill them. Pat puts a notice in our newsletter, the Saltshaker, telling the Methodist Women that there are pillows ready to be stuffed and completed. We will have completed 1,186 pillows by August 2006. This is an ongoing project that has brought benefit to members of our own congregation. If you have surgery at a Methodist Hospital in San Antonio or Live Oak and receive one of these pillows you will know the United Methodist Women of Universal City United Methodist Church made them with love and prayers. This is an example of a ministry that requires no money but just willing hands and hearts to help others. Please contact Pat Gregg for more information or to help with this important project.

 

Catch the Spirit...Spread the Joy!