Missing the hugs she once received from her step-father, Katie Goodine can instead squeeze a pillow made from his shirt and think of him.
She made two pillows from his shirts, with help from staff and volunteers at Hospice Georgian Triangle and the memory pillows workshop they offer.
"I decided to participate because I wanted to do something to honour my step-dad who passed away on Feb. 3," said Goodine. "The volunteers showed me how to cut out and pin the template, they sewed, and I stuffed the pillow. We enjoyed great conversation and I was able to share about my step-dad and express my feelings of grief. It was therapeutic. I feel like I have a piece of him to carry with me now."
Hospice staff member Vanessa Voorberg oversees the program, which is offered a couple of times a month, as people sign up. The idea is that people will bring clothing belonging to their loved ones and volunteers will help them make it into a pillow.
"I must say I'm not sure when this program started, but it is a truly heart-warming experience for all who participate," said Voorberg in an email to CollingwoodToday. "Knowing that everyone grieves differently, we try to provide a variety of programs and services, and the pillow workship provides space for creative expression of grief and continuing the legacy of a loved one."
Voorberg said part of the experience of making the pillow is also sharing a loved one's story and legacy with the staff and volunteers who are facilitating the workshop.
The pillows are free, but anyone can make an online donation if they choose. To register for the memory pillow workshop, reach out to Voorberg at voorbergv@
Hospice Georgian Triangle's community support team relies on donations from the community, which can be made at anytime to the Hospice Georgian Triangle Foundation. Anyone interested in volunteering is also invited to contact the organization for more information.
