I am going to try this again because I am passionate about teachers and the tremendous work they do.  Only a few people nominated their favorite and deserving teacher to win $100.00 OfficeMax Gift Card.  I hope you will consider taking a moment to use your entry as  a way to say thank you to a teacher. They may win $100 or they may not, but I think telling others about a special teacher is a tribute and honor for them.

I feel that the more we share about the amazing work teachers are doing, we will all have a greater level of understanding and appreciation of their job.

If I could enter this is what I would say:

A letter to our teacher,

For the moment my first finger hit the keyboard to write this I am brought to tears. The shear thanks and gratitude for all you do overwhelms me.  How would we get through our days with you? How would our child succeed and grow without your dedication?  We are thankful for your support, encouragement and care. We appreciate the unpaid hours you spend overseeing our son's IEP, attending meetings and learning.  We are  grateful for you continually going above and beyond --- For coming to our home on those mornings we are all overwhelmed and going to school doesn't seem possible.  We appreciate the time you spend perfecting your craft, your desire to be innovative and your continued willingness to try again when things don't work. There is no amount of money that could possibly reimburse you for all the extra things you do. In fact, not only are you not fully compensated for your time, knowledge and expertise,  you contribute your own money buying incentives and extra supplies.

So for all you have done for my family my sincerest thanks. Your hard work is not lost on us and your extreme dedication does not go unnoticed. We appreciate your care and concern. We believe your work is the most valuable and influential job. Thank you for not seeing it as just a "job"and for seeing my child as special and important!

To make it easier we changed the entry requirements. You only need to leave a comment HERE (please click through to the original post) and tweet or facebook about the give away. So please consider nominating a deserving teacher to win $100 OfficeMax Gift Card.

Truly all teachers are working to make all of our days better,  because a well educated child benefits ALL of us! Lets make their Day Better! Tell us about the special teacher in your life!

I received the following letter from Hope's Heart ---

Dear Cindy and all 'sewers',

What an incredible blessing the 'silkies' were to all the orphans! They responded in so many delightful ways. One little guy placed his like a hat on his head; one sensitive toddler covered his teddy bear with the 'silkie' and 'tucked in' the bear for a nap: one baby looked intently at the 'silkie' while touching it's softness; one little one made a 'bed' out of it for her bear; and many just carried their silkies around enjoying the brightness and softness of them. For many, this may have been the first gift they have ever received!

Thank you so very much for blessing hundreds of babies and children. Your efforts and the love and prayers that went into making them will be cherished by the children. All the children received one, and we left the extras at the orphanages for new children or to replace any that might get lost or torn.

Enclosed are some photos I know you will enjoy. I will email any others I receive from team members. You can see a couple photos as well on the Hope's Heart web site. Follow the link from the homepage about the trip.

Gratefully,

Judy
Hope's heart Orphan Foundation

Thank you all again for making this possible. You helped to bring comfort and joy to so many orphans!

There is an amazing story about a group of wonderful caring women who sewed and sewed tiny little comfort blankets for orphans in China. Working together this giving and talented group of women created 380 blankets. Because of their generosity 380 children will be comforted and be shown that they are loved. Each of these women in doing a small part has contributed to do something big---- to make a powerful difference in many many lives.   Never can we underestimate the power and potential  we have when we all work together.

Saturday my local newspaper ran an article on the Linus Blankets. The above is something I wish the newspaper article would have said. I also begged for them to take a picture of my nephew whom is stepping out in faith and his comfort zone to deliver the blankets. I begged for them to take a group photo of my nephew, with his grandmother who sewed, my sister-in-law who sewed and my gorgeous nieces who were adopted from China and who would have loved a silky while at their orphanage! I also begged for them to lay all the blankets out to make one large "quilt" so everyone could see the details and loveliness of each blanket.

I first saw the article online, which displayed a color photo. When I finally saw a print copy I realized to my disappointment the photo in the newspaper was black and white. It makes it very difficult to see what is stacked around me. My community will regretfully not see the beautiful colors and unique details of the blankets. So in the end I didn't even care that they spelled my name wrong.

While the newspaper article was not what I had expected, YOUR GENEROSITY WAS MORE THAN I COULD HAVE EVER HOPED FOR OR EXPECTED! I am extremely sorry that in the chaos of the afternoon with 15 people in my living room I did not get the blankets spread out to take a photo for you! Please believe me that each one was special. You chose cute soft and silky fabrics. Some blankets had ribbons , ruffles or satin binding. Each one displayed beautifully the love it was made with.

Last Thursday after meeting with the newspaper reporter my nephew took the blankets and distributed them to the people traveling in his group. You will be happy to know each and every single blanket was fit into a suitcase and will be traveling to China next week!

My sister-in-law took some pictures.  Here is my nephew, Arthur.

Maybe you can see your blanket in this stack.

If the following two pictures are any indication-------the orphans will truly love these blankets!

Here is Grace gently caressing one.

Faith has found one with green "minky."

Thank you again for making this all possible!