The 2011 ASG National Community Service project was to make turtle pillows for the Painted Turtle Camp in southern CA. This camp provides year-round programs for seriously ill children who struggle with debilitating diseases. The camp provides fun activites that offer the kids coping skills and a refreshed outlook on life. To learn more about the camp mission, visit: www.thepaintedturtle.org.

To support the ASG national cause, two Tucson Chapter member volunteers (Nancy Cochran and Millie Burgheimer) worked to organize several group sewing events. They acquired donated fabrics and purchased other materials to make the pillow covers from a camp-authorized proprietary pattern. The materials were distributed to small groups and individual members to make the pillows at home. Some donated their time at the June Chapter Sewing retreat to continue building the supply.

In August 2011, the Chapter held a Turtle Sew-A-Thon to continue the momentum. Kits were prepared and people came together to share the experience.

As the year moved on, Turtle Project officer Nancy Cochran continued to encourage Chapter members to achieve a goal of 400 turtle pillow cases by end of year. As of December 31, 2011 there were 409 pillows completed.

At the Holiday Luncheon on Dec 10, 2011, Nancy Cochran gave trophies etched with"Most Valuable Sewer" to 2 people who went beyond the norm to support The Painted Turtle Cause. Pictured below is Nancy standing between Ann Williams on the left and Millie Burgheimer on the right, receiving their trophies while standing in front of a Turtle display arrangment.