Blessing thousands around the world, one garment at a time.
SEWING MINISTRY ORIGINS
Founded by Vi Valencourt, of Salem, in 2010, the RSA sewing ministry came about because of one woman’s compassionate heart for impoverished children. She wanted to use her sewing skills and gifts to give something tangible to the little ones. Reid Saunders and the outreach teams would then take the clothing Vi made and carry it around the world to distribute to children in communities where they were setting up for a festival. The clothing was originally distributed to orphanages.
A few years later, several other women learned of Vi’s work and joined her efforts. This led to a community “children’s fashion show” of children modeling some of the styles being sent. From here, the ministry expanded. People donated fabrics and notions to be used. Many women in the Salem area and throughout the US signed up to sew for the children. Whitlock’s Sewing and Vacuum, located in downtown Salem, offered their classrooms and machines once a month to give additional opportunities to sew there under the guidance of Carma Myers and Jeannette Pitalo. Today, thousands of little dresses, shorts, t-shirts and undies are being distributed to children living in the poorest areas around the world to various villages, door to door, at RSA medical clinics, in slums, orphanages, refugee camps, and wherever there is a great need. Countries include India, Honduras, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mexico, Thailand, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Guatemala, Myanmar, Bolivia, Brazil, Palestine, Philippines, Spain, and Peru.
More than 9,820 garments for children have been distributed around the world as of August 2019
NEW APRON MINISTRY ADDED
Inspired by the story of Suzanne Wesley who covered her head with an apron to find quiet time with God, these aprons often build a communications bridge to the moms that are often overwhelmed by the stressful work of raising children in a busy or impoverished household. Teaching and encouraging moms to pray for their children has a dramatic spiritual impact on families and communities worldwide. Outreach teams have delivered aprons to moms in Brazil, Bolivia, Dominican Republic, Spain, Italy, and Peru. Contact Ruth Daniels to see how you can be involved in this ministry to moms around the world. “Sew Blessed” story and testimony. See Tara’s video testimony below.
OUR SEWING TEAM PURPOSE
Through meeting the physical and emotional needs of women and children worldwide, we open the door to a relationship and a spiritual conversation. Our prayer is that the families receiving the free clothing items will come to the outreach festivals, hear the Gospel message, and begin a personal relationship with Christ.
HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED?
5. Transportation and shipping of large boxes of dresses or aprons across the country can be expensive. Please let Ruth Daniels know if you or someone you know would be willing to transport an occasional shipment to the RSA office.
WHAT CAN I SEW?
JOIN THE “CHARITY SEW” DAY EACH MONTH
On every 2nd Tuesday of the month, women meet upstairs at Whitlock’s Vacuum and Sewing store, 455 Court St. NE. in Salem, Oregon. There you will be able to sew the pre-cut dress kits or cut your own from donated fabrics or work on a project you started at home. Bring your machine and/or serger or Whitlock’s has machines you may use. The gentlemen there will help you carry in your machines, if you wish.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT RSA AND THEY WILL GET YOU IN TOUCH WITH THE SEWING TEAM LEADERS
