West Valley City resident Patsy Matsamas loves babies and making baby quilts. "There's nothing like a brand new baby," she said.
But about 10 years ago, she started doing more for babies than just quilts. "I need a project so bad," said Matsamas. Her son had recently passed away and she was asked to take over a service project at church.
For the project, women donate items for moms who don't have any supplies for their new babies after leaving the hospital. "How could you enjoy them if you're constantly worried?" said Matsamas.
They're called baby layettes, and they come with a quilt, receiving blanket, onesies, socks, diapers and more — whatever gets donated to the cause. "My goal is to help those mothers to relax and be able to enjoy their babies," Matsamas said.
When Matsamas gathers enough supplies, she takes the layettes to Jordan Valley West. "Over the years, I have taken in 330 layette sets, if my bookkeeping's right," she said. Matsamas still makes many of the quilts for the layettes, but relies on a steady stream of donations from the women from her Latter-Day Saint ward's Relief Society organization. "I could not do this alone," she said.
Giving back to mothers and babies in her community has been healing for her. "It was a project for me to think about others instead of worrying so much about myself," said Matsamas. Mountain America Credit Union donated $500 to help Matsamas keep the project going and help more mothers.
