Illinois woman celebrates 95th birthday by doing for others
GENESEO, Ill. (AP) - Although the current COVID-19 pandemic has kept Norma Lodge sheltering in place, she still managed to celebrate her 95th birthday and keep busy in doing for others.
The Geneseo resident recently completed 102 'œpillowcase'ť dresses to be included in Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes, the Quad-City Times reported.
Friends and family members observed her special day by sending cards for her birthday on July 20, but the family celebration was put on hold.
She lives by the parable from Matthew 7:12, which reads, 'œDo unto others as you would have them do unto you.'ť
'œI think that is what the Lord wants us to do - help others,'ť Lodge said.
She made many similar little 'œpillowcase'ť dresses that were sent to Haiti with the mission teams from her home church, Grace United Methodist Church in Geneseo.
'œAll of the little dresses are not made from pillowcases,'ť she said. 'œI have lots of material given to me, and I also use that for the dresses.'ť
Lodge also is among the faithful servants of the United Methodist Women at Grace Church who make what they call 'œugly quilts'ť for people experiencing homelessness.
The quilts are warm and cozy, but are called 'œugly'ť because of the variety of fabrics, colors and patterns used to make them. The project began more than 20 years ago when Lodge shared the idea with her Circle members.
The women meet at 9 a.m. on the first Thursday of every month at the church. They bring the quilts they have made and spend time together tying the layers of fabric.
The quilts are made in three parts - a sheet makes up the inside layer. The inside of the quilt is a clean, new or used blanket or mattress pad, used as a filler and adds to the warmth and the outside is the cover or the 'œugly part,'ť made by sewing together pieces of scrap material. The 72-inch square quilts can easily be made into a sleeping bag.
'œI hope other women will join our group, because we could use more help,'ť Lodge said.
She delivered 15 quilts in June to Humility of Mary in Davenport, Iowa, just across the Mississippi River.
The group also remembers shut-ins twice each year with visits and 'œgoodie cups'ť filled with candy and cookies.
'ťWe took the '~goodies' in November and in April, but now with the COVID -19, we don't know when we will taking any of the treats,'ť Lodge said.