An enthusiastic group of Cowichan Valley volunteers filled Lake Cowichan’s Lower Centennial Hall last Saturday, where they sewed together what they refer to as “handmade hugs.”
“It’s wonderful,” organizer Julie McClure said, of the turnout, and of the donors. “Everywhere; fabric stores, general public. It came from everywhere you’d imagine.”
A long row of boxes lined one of the hall’s walls, full of donated materials.
The materials went toward the construction of blankets, baby shoes, and other comfort items typically not available at the Cowichan District Hospital in Duncan.
After a second Hug-A-Thon, scheduled for next month in Duncan, McClure hopes to have gathered together enough material to get them through to the fall.
“It’s certainly put a dent in it already,” she said, at last weekend’s event.
Always on the lookout for more volunteers, McClure encourages people to call her at 749-3189 for more information as to how one can become involved in the effort.