Lost Monkeys.....Found!

Recently sent a box of monkeys to Children's Hospital.  Weeks went by and they didn't receive them.  Ends up, they were lost in the hospital's mailroom to be found only after a diligent search by one of the nursing staff. 

 Ready to go to work bringing smiles to kids, one sock at a time....

Eye Cancer Patients receive one eyed sock monkeys

The University of Iowa has partnered with the Merry Monkey Makers to provide sock monkeys to children who lose an eye due to cancer.

Check out the whole article:
https://medicine.uiowa.edu/eye/content/eye-cancer-patients-receive-sock-monkey-%E2%80%9C-me%E2%80%9D

Team members from the Eye Clinic partnered with the UI Hospitals & Clinics Volunteer Services office to create a customized sock monkey doll for children who have an eye removed. The monkey features a winking eye to match the eye that the patient has removed (right or left). Hand-made monkeys also have different color remaining eyes and other features that add to the uniqueness of each.

The idea for personalized monkeys came from UI student volunteer Kenten Kingsbury and oculoplastic surgeon Dr. Audrey Ko. They realized that sock monkey dolls were being made by a hospital volunteer group known as the Merry Monkey Makers, so the two arranged through the Volunteer Services office to have monkeys specially designed for Eye Clinic patients.

Makin monkeys together.....

The girls at church wanted to learn how to make monkeys.

Some of the girls had never sewn before, and they did great job.  With a little practice,  will become
first rate monkeymakers. Everyone had a great time.

The icing on the cake is learning how to make monkey TUTUS.....they bring a smile everytime.

Hint to making TUTUS:

Use an elastic hair band.  Cut strips of tuille or ribbon and tie around the hair band.  Voila!  You have a tutu for your monkey.

Go ahead and Just Serve!

 I checked JustServe.org to see if there are any local organizations that would benefit from monkeys.  Yes there is!  A homeless shelter.

 I contacted them through the JustServe website this morning, and heard back already.  They would love 25 monkeys and also asked if they could get more in the future.  This is a perfect home for the first 25 of the monkeys. 

JustServe is such a fabulous way to connect needs to solutions in the community. 

What is JustServe?

JustServe.org is a website where the volunteer needs of organizations may be posted and volunteers may search for places to serve in the community.

JustServe provides opportunities to relieve suffering, care for the poor and needy, and enhance the quality of life in the community. JustServe is not for proselytizing or publicity—it is simply a service to help link community volunteer needs with volunteers.


Here is the link:
https://www.justserve.org/account

This is why we do what we do......

Some Serious Monkeymakers, right?

Kristi, Kerri and Sharon have been up to their eyeballs in sock monkeys.....literally!  These pictures represent months and months and probably months of sewing, stitching and stuffing.  Kerri puts the finishing touches on each monkey by crocheting a little "outfit" or accessory. 

Each of their monkeys have a touch of fun and humor and a little personality of its own!   Capes, and tutus, masks, hats, wings....

 The kids are going to love them!  Thank you very amazing ladies.