Believe in Christmas project

By: Cameron Barnett, Contributing Writer
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​On December 15th, Chance Elementary School, Centralia Intermediate School and Chester Boren Middle School participated in the annual Believe in Christmas project.

​Every year about 300 pillowcases are made for students to take home and enjoy as a Christmas gift.  The generous women behind this wonderful project are: Tracy Davenport, Jan Forsee, Rita Hankemeier, Janice Jacobson, Ellen Stephens,  Meredith Stidham and Toni Sweeney. 

The Believe in Christmas project was started in 2008 by Meredith Stidham and Jan Forsee. Forsee reached out to Stidham with the idea of making handmade gifts for students in the community. Stidham stated, “We both loved the idea of gifting people with handmade items, my quilt shop was new and her quilting business was new and it just seemed like a natural way to give back to people in the community.”
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Students loved the event in the past and have appreciated the pillowcases given to them. This year Forsee overheard one kindergartner say, “I can’t believe someone made these for us.”  Stidham mentioned that some students who previously received a pillowcase, have come back to say they still use the one they were gifted in the past.  

Stidham emphasized, “We truly hope the students who receive these pillowcases know this community cares! The tag on the pillowcase summarizes it pretty well: We believe in you! We believe in kindness. We encourage YOU to make and create. We hope you enjoy your handmade pillowcase and new pillow.”

Be sure to check out Prairie Queen Quilting and Abby's Quilt Shop to show them some appreciation for giving back to the community and giving the students of Centralia something to look forward to during the holidays.