New Contributor - Tammy

Hi, this is Tammy from Minnesota. I'm an IT professional and hobbist sewer. I found MMP this summer because a friend was looking to donate her wedding dress. Being an IT geek I hit the Internet and found you all. I was touched by your mission and saw that you needed sewers more than dresses, so... here I am. I will be submitting my first gown soon. When I sew I like to have a fitting model; so I am working on making a preemie doll first. I'm using a pattern I found online. It's been challenging so far, but not beyond my intermediate skills. If you don't like tiny pieces and lots of pinning, this pattern isn't for you! I will post my progress on the doll if anyone is interested.

(PS I am not affilated with the pattern site or designer in any way. Image from judisdolls.com.)

Introductions...

I will start this off by introducing myself so everyone can get a better idea of who I am. My mother, Carlin, started the organization in 2003 in memory of my niece Maddie. I was 13 when Maddie was born, and will carry her memory with me for the rest of my life. The entire experience was truly earth shaking for our entire family. My mom was also a respiratory therapist in the NICU, which gave her additional insight into the need for a service such as the Mary Madeline Project. She began collecting wedding dresses and recruiting seamstresses. This organization started in our family's living room, and has grown to reach countless families over the years. As my mother's health continued to deteriorate I was asked to step in and take over the administrative aspect of the organization. I am honored and proud to give my time to this project! The families we touch make every long day worth it. I am a full time student at the University of Nebraska Omaha, I work a full time job, as well as working MMP. I am rewarded daily with the addition of new volunteers, and families who may not have had anything else to bury their precious baby in. I can't express how genuinely grateful I am for each and every person who helps make it work. I hope this blog will give everyone an opportunity to get ideas and express any thoughts to one another. :)

Welcome

I would just like to welcome all of our volunteers to our new blog spot. I know many of you have inquired about how to contact one another. Hopefully this site will work for everyone. This is my first time setting up a blog so if anyone has any suggestions on what I can do to make this more user friendly please let me know. Thank you all again so much for everything you do!!! The Mary Madeline Project would cease to exist without all of the generous women who give so selflessly of their time! Thank you!

~Courtney~