By Steve Steiner
Managing Editor
editor@elkintribune.com


It has been an exciting first year for the Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care facility located at 688 N. Bridge St., Elkin. One of those people who has contributed in making it exciting and rewarding has been Barbara Blood, the hospice's Elkin craft leader.

However, becoming craft leader was not what Blood originally intended on being when she became involved with the hospice. She said she had sought to become involved with Mountain Valley Hospice in a fundraising capacity.

However, she became involved with the crafts project, although she said she did not remember how it all came about. She believed it may have had something to do with her involvement with a once a year craft project at her church.

"It's called the gift craft workshop," Blood said. "It's items we make that we bring to shut-in members and others who cannot participate in church functions."

As craft leader, Blood has to come up with a new project each month.

"Barbara comes up with the idea and purchases the materials," said Pat Younger, director of volunteer services.

Blood said she uses a variety of sources for her ideas, which include going online and searching the Internet, going to craft stores, poring over magazines and other publications, and attending craft fairs.

"You look for things other people has done," Blood said.

Once she has selected a project, Blood then tests it.

"It has to be something that can be done in about two hours," she said. "Otherwise, we can't do it."

The "we" are the volunteers, who come in to work on the projects from 10 a.m. - noon the first Thursday of every month. Often, it is the Yadkin Valley Red Hat Ladies of Jonesville who donate their time and service.

The crafts are very dear to many.

"What we do monthly is make tray favors for our nurses and social workers to bring to our patients," said Jane Surratt, assistant director of volunteer services.

"Our goal is to make 25 items each time," said Blood. "That's about the number of patients we average."

"The craft items that are taken to patients to brighten their day; making a conversation piece for the staff or volunteer to take into the home to give them something to share with the patients other than how they are doing in their disease process," said Sheila Jones, director of development for Mountain Valley Hospice.

When asked what November's project is, she asked no mention be made.

"It's a surprise from one month to the next," she said.

The idea of building crafts is not a new one.

"Our Mount Airy office has had a craft group since 1996," said Younger.

Like almost all not-for-profit organizations, the Elkin Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care always has a need for volunteers, and the crafts project is an excellent starting point, said Younger.

"The public is invited. There is no special training required," said Younger. "You just need a good attitude and willingness to have fun. Just call 526-2650."

About Mountain Valley Hospice

Mountain Valley Hospice & Palliative Care is a nonprofit organization serving the terminally ill in Surry, Yadkin and 12 other counties. Through its team of trained specialists, health-care professionals and volunteers, Mountain Valley Hospice addresses the growing need for compassionate hospice care through offices in Yadkinville, Elkin, Mount Airy and Galax, Va. In October 2007, Mountain Valley Hospice & Palliative Care broke ground in Dobson on a state-of-the-art hospice home, the Joan and Howard Woltz Hospice Home, which is scheduled for completion this December.