Creating is my God given talent.

No matter where I’ve been in my life, I’ve always done something creative; be it sewing, knitting, crocheting, jewelry making, cake decorating, catering, painting and more. I called my crafting a business but my family would point out to me that I didn’t make money and that I was always giving my crafts and services away for free - so it was a hobby. I now call it “my business” hobby!

I decided to make my hobby a real business since I was about to retire in September 2019 after 31 years of service at the National Air and Space Intelligence Center at Wright Patterson Air Force Base. I thought I should come up with a business name that spoke to what I had been doing with my hobby. I came up with the name for my business “Love Covers” one day at work thinking about the things I’ve made over the years. I’ve made clothing, baby, youth and adult blankets, aprons and thought the common theme of my sewing was “COVERING.” Then I thought about what people have said about the items I have made for them and the common phrase was – “oh I LOVE it.” Hence - “LOVE COVERS.”

A segment of my work will continue to be donating my gift to others. I have donated handmade baby blankets to strangers when I’ve seen them out in the elements with a child uncovered. I have also helped by adopting at-risk high school students during Christmas by including a handmade blanket along with the other gifts.

I recently have been making masks to protect people during the COVID-19 pandemic. I have donated over 400 masks and I’m still making them even today. I have made them for family, friends, former co-workers, cashiers, my dog’s groomer, my dog’s veterinary’s office and strangers. It’s one thing I can do to help during this time. This has been a difficult time for us all and I’m so glad I could do my part to help protect people.

Receiving this grant would allow me to continue my charitable work, help me realize my business and also fulfill my desire to teach others sewing and learn other crafts. This grant would assist me in setting up a spare room into a sewing/craft room, supplying it with needed equipment and materials, and also help set up equipment to do online instruction. I look forward to getting busy on this goal of helping others enjoy learning something new and helpful.

I recently told a group of young people "if you have something you love to do with your hands and mind you will always have something productive to do, you can help others and that to me is success."