Annual Maddie Day returns to CCL next month

On Friday, March 21, 2014, a special Craft and Hobby event began at 10 a.m. and lasted until the wee hours of Saturday morning. The event, held in the Colby City Hall, honored Madelyne (Maddie) Thums, who died March 4, 2013.

Maddie was a volunteer at the Colby Public Library. She was also a registered nurse at St. Joseph’s Hospital for many years. In memory of Maddie, a list of needed items was obtained from St. Joe’s volunteer services.

People were invited to work on projects which would be donated to the hospital in Maddie’s honor. There were opportunities for knitters, crocheters, and seamstresses.

At 1 a.m. on Saturday morning, the tally board announced 246 items were completed. Items were collected through the end of March, at which time donations numbered 265.

Nine years later… Mark your calendars to help with the ninth annual Maddie Thums Memorial Sewathon and the Colby Community Library’s (CCL’s) Make-A-Difference Day (MADD). Beginning March 1, 2022, pick up kits to take and make at home. (Due to COVID-19 precautions, the event will not be held in person.)

The Marshfield Medical Center (MMC) will receive items sewn for the Birth Center and Pediatrics Department. This year, the sewing projects are:

_ Flannel ice pack covers with Velcro closures

_ Taggy blanket with ribbon sensory tags

_ Muslin procedure dolls which are personalized for each child’s surgery or treatment

_ Mini hospital gowns for the procedure dolls Items for the CCL’s Make-A-Difference Day for MMC adult and youth patients will be:

_ No sew adult-sized fleece blankets

_ Simple-to-sew fleece ice pop holders Kits for over 400 items are preassembled with the fabrics, supplies and patterns. All completed items should be returned by Friday, April 9, so they can be delivered during National Library Week in April. The projects are sponsored by the Friends of the Colby Community Library.

Through the years, hundreds of items have been created and donated to the medical facilities in Marshfield in memory of Maddie. This year, financial project sponsors are Creative Hideaway of Dorchester and Thrivent Action Teams.

“Although she is no longer with us, ‘Maddie Day’ helps us remember all the good she did for everyone,” stated Vicky Calmes, Colby Community Library director.

“The Colby Communiuty Library has been fortunate to have many dedicated volunteers, throughout the years, who give back to the community.”