Quilt-making ministry gives student a warmer, safer commute

A young child will have a warmer, safer commute to Grand Rapids Community College’s Fratzke Early Childhood Learn Lab because of a gift from a Holland group and support from a GRCC instructor.

Island Hines’ joyful spirit and determination make her an inspiration to the ECLL team members, who describe her as a “phenomenal individual.” She was recently diagnosed with Cohen's Syndrome, a genetic disorder characterized by diminished muscle tone.

Island’s mother, Abriana Winters, is a GRCC graduate, and her father, Isaiah Hines, is a current student, and the family hopes their story can be an inspiration to others.

Julie Sizemore, an ECLL instructor, nominated Island to receive a quilt from Love Sews Ministry. The Holland-based nonprofit’s mission is to make and provide custom quilts for those facing challenging life circumstances. The group’s volunteers have completed more than 1,000 quilts since starting in 2013.

“Child has changed by life”

“This child has changed my life,” says Sizemore, who started working with Island when she was 8 months old. 
Island Hines with her family at the graduation from GRCC of her mother, Abriana Winters. (GRCC)
“She has changed who I am as a care teacher.  She has changed how I support families when it comes to children with special needs.  She has been the reason that I have built a network of early interventionists that has allowed me to help other children get needs met when they may not normally have qualified for early intervention.”

Sizemore’s hope was to give Island a quilt for her wheelchair so she can be warm and safe when she rides the bus to school or is in the car. If she wears a coat while being transported, the belts could be too loose, which would be dangerous if she were ever in an accident. 

“The Love Sews Ministry group did an amazing job on every detail of the quilt, down to the princesses who have dark skin, like Island, and including her favorite character, Peppa Pig,” Sizemore says. “Island and her family continue to inspire me. Their joyful spirit, determination, and how they always work so hard to beat the odds are just a few of the ways.”

Ministry helps the ‘hurting’

Love Sews Ministry was established in 2013 “through Jesus Christ’s teaching of being His hands and feet to the world. Jesus commanded us in Matthew to minister to hurting people, especially widows and children,” says Shar Hekman, who leads the Holland group.

Sewing skills aren’t required to volunteer for the ministry, which holds open hours every Tuesday from 6-8:30 p.m. and  Wednesday from 12-4 p.m. at 650 Riley St. in Holland Township. Volunteers must be at least 14 years old. 

Those interested in having a quilt made for a loved one in need can submit a request on the group’s website. The ministry’s motto is “Wrapping the world with love, one quilt at a time.”

“We have requests that come from all over the United States,” Hekman says, noting that the group requests $15 be donated for the cost of mailing the quilt. “We believe God is blessing our non-profit ministry, and we have made 547 quilts for this year.”