A Special Connection with The March of Dimes

The March of Dimes was established as a non-profit organization by former President Franklin D. Roosevelt to combat the polio epidemic. It is an organization dear to our hearts here at Sew Vac. Without it, we may have never had Nancy, who has been the backbone of the store for many years.

Nancy grew up in rural Southwest Virginia. At 18 months old, she contracted polio from a young cousin, who eventually died from the disease. Nancy's polio largely focused on her feet and legs and caused pain that she still remembers vividly to this day. Her childhood was spent in leg braces. There were no hospitals nearby who handled such a serious disease. The closest facility that could care for her was in Roanoke which, in that day, before the interstate, was a very long drive. By the time Nancy was 12 years old, her foot had drawn into the shape resembling a horseshoe as her toes rested close to her heal. Her parents took her to Roanoke for a surgery that would require her foot to be broken and reset. Thanks to the March of Dimes, she was able to have the treatment that made it possible for her to walk again. Today, this organization continues its focus on the health of children.

SewVac recently received a request for a donation to auctioned off at a November March of Dimes fundraiser. For me, as Nancy's youngest child, it will be a “thank you” for helping to save my mother who gave me life. Our plan is to create and fill a basket with hand made baby items, including a baby quilt. This Saturday, we will brainstorm, and let members chose the project they want to work on. We need to have everything created before Halloween. So PLEASE, if you can, be there. If you are unable to come Saturday but would like to volunteer for one of the projects, email me at kingsportsewvac@gmail.com.