airaze.com. (SUNDAY, SEPT. 24, 2009) - "We're so lucky to be part of the community," said Cathy Wigfield, who is celebrating the second anniversary of Stitch in Time, at the Hospice of the South Shore in Quincy. She makes each one unique - it's the one on her right hand and wrist that her husband designed. Photo by Linda TenEyck for The Patriot-Ledger. By DARYL KING JR., Patriot-Ledger Staff Writer (SUNDAY, SEPT. 24, 2009) - On the second anniversary of the creation of Stitch in Time, a unique charity organization that provides handmade handbags to terminally ill patients at the Hospice of the South Shore in Quincy, one of its founder's eyes welled up with tears as she remembered some of the people who helped the program grow. It's her husband, Ken, the one with the eye-catching scar on his forehead. "The way he works is so hands-on," she said, holding up the one-of-a-kind handbag he has made himself. "To be in this program has given him a purpose in life, a reason to live." But Stitch in Time isn't all about helping people find ways to cope with their illnesses. There is also another component. In addition to providing much-needed items for the dying, the charity is helping kids. For example, the idea for a Christmas tree came from one child, a fourth-grader who wanted to build a Christmas tree in a box with some friends of her mother. The family asked the Hospice staff if they could go with them, and before they knew it, hundreds of holiday cards filled the boxes, all ready for their annual trip to the children's hospital. "There is an energy and excitement that comes from this program, too," said Debby Hatch of Hospice of the South Shore. "There is a spirit of giving. This was started in love, in part because we felt a responsibility to the children." It began with Lori Fawcett, who, as a hospice volunteer, gave the boxes to a child with cancer in 2000. The child was able to receive the cards with her parents and doctors and nurses by her bedside. The idea was adopted by others, including Karen DeKoning, a member of the staff who volunteers to make handbags for the children in the program. They started off as three handbags a year, then four, then five. Now they make them in a box with 10 to 14 bags each year. One of the boxes is named after Ken, who makes them all by hand, with his eye-patch marking the only blemish. Now, he has put several on auction on eBay, with all proceeds going to the Hospice program. "These are little handmade treasures," Debby Hatch said. "To the kids, they can't wait to see them when they arrive." This article appears in the October 25, 2008 edition of The Quincy Patriot Ledger. You'll love this! The Hospice of the South Shore is a great place to volunteer. They need help at every level from the front desk to the doctors’ office and especially with our program. They’re currently looking for volunteers to read to children. It’s easy to volunteer, and they’ll mail you a volunteer packet which includes easy to read information, descriptions of a day in the life of the Hospice, and other forms that you need to fill out. The forms are very basic and if you don’t have any problems answering them you can be reading in no time. The information packet can be mailed to you. You don’t have to be a reader to volunteer at the Hospice of the South Shore. There are many other ways to volunteer that are in great need right now. Visit the Hospice’s website for more information. To volunteer, call 617-477-4343. Here are a few more ways to get involved in the Hospice of the South Shore: Adopt-a-Patient Program: If you adopt a patient and volunteer time once a month to go see them for five minutes you will receive a special gift from the patient. For information and to submit an adoption application, contact the Hospice at 877-47-RARE-CARE. Volunteer as a buddy: As a buddy, you help make visits at the Hospice a positive experience for patients and families by supporting volunteers with emotional and physical support. To learn more, please contact the Hospice of the South Shore at 877-477-4343. Donate a Box: A limited number of boxes are needed for this project. Each box holds 20 handmade gifts, usually stuffed animals and crafts that are made by children in the hospital’s hospital wing. You can also donate a personal item. All donations should be sent to: Hospice of the South Shore, P.O. Box 6, Quincy, MA 02269. Donate a Toy: Toy drives for the Hospice of the South Shore help provide kids with something fun and educational. Every little bit helps and makes a difference. You can donate new or gently used toys and games, stuffed animals and toys, books or any other item you’d like. All donations must be new, non-toxic or in good condition to be accepted. Volunteer on Mission: The Hospice of the South Shore is always looking for help from volunteers to assist with food and product delivery and more. Volunteer on Mission is available Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. This program has great pay opportunities and full benefits with the Massachusetts State Police. To learn more about this program, please call 877-478-RARE-CARE. Adopt-a-patient Program: If you adopt a patient and volunteer time once a month to go see them for five minutes you will receive a special gift from the patient. For information and to submit an adoption application, contact the Hospice at 877-477-4343. Volunteer as a buddy: As a buddy, you help make visits at the Hospice a positive experience for patients and families by supporting volunteers with emotional and physical support. To learn more, please contact the Hospice of the South Shore at 877-477-4343. Donate a Box: A limited number of boxes are needed for this project. Each box holds 20 handmade gifts, usually stuffed animals and crafts that are made by children in the hospital’s hospital wing. You can also donate a personal item. All donations should be sent to: Hospice of the South Shore, P.O. Box 6, Quincy, MA 022