Thursday, August 4, 2016

Ease a Mother's Pain






(Photo: Photo provided)

Cameron Spencer of Nevada Area Council’s Boy Scouts Troop 445 created an Eagle Scout project that will ease the pain for a few moments that mothers and families suffer with the loss of a baby.

Spencer teamed with Pregnancy and Infancy Loss Support Organization of the Sierras and two of its members, Hilary Simpson and Danel Fisher, both registered nurses. This project will benefit patients at Renown Regional Medical Center.

With help from the website, “JustServe,” Spencer launched the project by organizing members of his church with gathering materials, creating a work schedule and then assembling the 167 blankets that have been delivered to Renown.

“There have been people in my ward who have suffered that kind of loss,” he said in a release. “The project was a huge eye-opener, and I learned that things like this happen every day. Life is extremely fragile and is something we need to hold onto … this is an amazing gift we have to hold.”

According to Simpson, “One of the things done for mothers who have lost a baby on labor and delivery is the creation of a small memento box that the mother and family can take home in memory of the baby. Included in this box is a lovely blanket that has been used to swaddle the baby after they are born. These blankets are handmade and hand-picked for the patient.”

Spencer was surprised to find some of the blankets already have been used. “We can do our best by doing little things. We can donate a blanket and that blanket can help someone through a tough time. It’s a huge, inspiring feeling that that is something we can do every single day.”

The Reno High School senior gave credit to his church, the Foothill Ward of the Church of Latter-day Saints, for the help they gave toward the project. Spencer’s goal was assembling 60 blankets but when all was finished, 167 blankets were ready for delivery.

The blankets were assembled in three sizes and Spencer said the fabrics were creative. All of the fabric was donated and the actual work was done over two days. Simpson called the work “perfect and remarkable. Each was different and unique. This gives the nurse the opportunity to send home a special blanket with each of our mothers after a loss.”

Spencer is scheduled to graduate from Reno High School. After that, he will go on a mission for his church. He plans to attend the University of Nevada, Reno and then transfer to Brigham Young University to study physics or video game design.

Breakfast and Branding








Boy Scouts from Troop 443 of Spanish Springs presented colors on Saturday morning, July 9 at an annual Breakfast and Branding event that benefits Washoe County Republicans. Held for years at the Sally Miller Ranch adjacent to Pyramid Highway, scores of friends gather for breakfast and to take part in the branding of young cattle. Scouts were on hand to properly raise the Stars and Stripes for the gathering.