Meet Nicole Prieto from Riverside, CA

Everyone benefits when volunteers knit, sew, or crochet items and give them to families in need. That’s what “The Mending Hearts Project” is all about – people feeling good about helping others, and those in need will know that someone cares. Nicole Prieto, a stay-at-home-mom of four & wife from Riverside, California, donates handmade gifts like blankets and clothing to local hospitals, for teen and unwed mothers, mothers of babies in NICU, and chemotherapy patients. She asked for $2,000 to purchase yarn, fabric, and supplies since many of the volunteers are on a fixed income and their donations are limited by the materials they can afford. “I dream of having enough inventory to assist every volunteer who wishes to offer warmth and kindness to others, through their handmade gifts,” said Nicole in her application. Two of Nicole’s volunteers are her own mother and grandmother, who help collect donations and sew and crochet as well.

Diary Starts Here

July 22, 2011

Nicole placed her final order for supplies today...

"I placed an online yarn order, for The Mending Hearts Project at A Time to Mend. This purchase should utilize the balance of the grant that we were awarded by the Jenny Jones Foundation. I have also attached a few photos, of an event recently held at my home. MOMSClub-Riverside West partnered up with The Mending Hearts Project for their chapter's community service project. They made 22 blankets using fabric and yarn that was purchased with funds from the Jenny Jones Foundation! The completed blankets were donated to Riverside County Regional Medical Center (RCRMC) in June 2011. Thank you!! Nicole Prieto"

April 2nd, 2011

Boy, Nicole didn't waste any time placing her order. Here's what she said about hew new yarn...

"Dear Jenny,

I just finished unpacking the most extraordinary shipment of items from Joann's!!! I felt like a little girl on Christmas morning... I am still in awe of this tremendous gift.

This order alone contained enough yarn and fabric to help over 1500 people!! With your help we will also be able build a little "starter kit" complete with scissors, tape measure, and crochet hook/knitting needles, for volunteers who are just beginning to handcraft items. New volunteers for The Mending Hearts Project will receive this little kit (if needed) along with 2-3 skeins of yarn to make whatever gifts they wish. As their completed projects are returned to me, I will replenish their the supply of yarn, and perhaps give a different sized hook/needle, if someone wants to try a new pattern. I have a few small sessions coming up at my home, a "wrap up party" for the MOMSClub community service project... and our newest project: teaching a classroom of 4th graders how to make fleece baby blankets!! I can't wait to share this sentiment with each of them, as they learn how wonderful it feels to give from the heart.

Thank you, again!!
Nicole"

March 23, 2011

I was so happy to call Nicole today with news of her grant. Her husband, David, helped arrange a get-together at home so everyone could be there to celebrate. Nicole's mom, grandmother, stepdad, friends & knitting ladies were all there, in fact they were knitting when I called! I asked how her deliveries get made and Nicole said they have sorting and organizing parties and donate about 70 items per month. Nicole said she usually takes items to the hospital herself while her mom and grandmom help get volunteers.  There are around 15-20 volunteers currently crocheting, knitting, or sewing... mostly crocheting. Grandma Edie sews crib-size blankets which are very much appreciated at the hospital. So far, The Mending Hearts Project has donated several hundred items! I love it! David told me they were celebrating with pizza and hot wings.