Volunteer Spotlight Archives

Michele Hogue

Featured Volunteer Michele Hogue

Free time what is that?? My name is Michele Hogue and I have trouble with free time. It is hard for me to sit around, watch TV and relax. Sewing is my stress relief. Last July I saw information about The Preemie Project and thought what an awesome cause. My one and only son, Josh had graduated from Clear Creek Amana last May and I was wondering what I was going to do without all of his school activities. The Preemie Project has been perfect. I am definitely hooked! I love the fact that I can work on my own and decide what I want to make. I really enjoy the work groups because you get to meet other volunteers and sew all day long. I’m a Work Group MVP!

I grew up on a dairy farm near Coggon, Iowa (north of Cedar Rapids). Being the oldest of five children, I know how to take care of others and the value of hard work. We worked together as a family taking care of the animals and crops. My mom taught me to sew and embroider probably when I was around eleven. I’ve made items such as Halloween costumes, snowmen, curtains, wedding flowers, bibs, and quilts. Baby quilts are my favorite. Ask any of my ten nieces and nephews, they each have at least one. I am working on another round of larger quilts for birthdays.

When I graduated from high school, I came to the University of Iowa and have never left. I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. I worked in social service agencies such as the Crisis Center, Legal Services, Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County and the Emergency Housing Project (now known as the Shelter House). Working in those agencies gave me a sense of pride and commitment to helping others. In 1998 I started working at the University of Iowa in the Department of Epidemiology in the College of Public Health. Epidemiology is the study of disease and how it affects the human population.

Our department does invaluable research in areas such as cancer, birth defects, infectious diseases, and mental illness. I’m currently the Human Resources Coordinator. It is challenging but the variety is great for me. In addition to The Preemie Project and work, I volunteer as the secretary for the Clear Creek Amana Foundation. When I am not sewing, I am attending auctions, working on the family farm and spending time with my family.

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Lana Johnson

Featured Volunteer Lana Johnson

“What good can I do today?” Benjamin Franklin is reported to have asked himself every morning.

Hi! My name is Lana Johnson from Springfield, Missouri and I am the proud mother of three preemie boys. My eldest born in 1993 11 weeks early at 1 lb. 14 oz., my second born in June 1999 10 weeks early at 2 lb. 1 oz., and my third born in August 2004 five weeks early at 3 lb. 10 oz.

I’m currently a stay-at-home mom. The internet has become my adult company and has opened up doors to helping others I would never have dreamed possible! I’m not sure whose blog I was visiting when I came across The Preemie Project, but it certainly seemed a cause that was custom made for me. Hey, I can knit, having learned over 30 years ago in 4-H. Having been in the trenches of the NICU 3 times, my empathy for those in similar circumstances hits close to the heart. A young woman named Laura Aker was asking for some preemie hats and booties, so I sent some. I joined the Yahoo group on August 30, 2005 a day after my baby turned one. I’ve since helped with whatever I could, as I could. It’s an honor to be a part of such a group of caring, creative and energetic people from all over the world! 

“What good have I done today?” Benjamin Franklin is reported to have asked himself every evening. When I ask myself that question I know I’ve used my God-given talents for others, and
that’s always a good thing!

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Ruth Dawson

Featured Volunteer Ruth Dawson

Soon after retiring almost seven years ago, I signed up for all sorts of activities. In fact, I quickly became overcommitted. The classes are great, the travel is fun, the grandchildren are growing, the exercise is essential, the meetings worthwhile, but there was something missing that even involvement in my faith community has not filled – that sense of giving back that is a very real part of who I am as a person. The Preemie Project came into existence at just the right time for me. I heard about it through the Senior Center (though I missed the orientation session). When I contacted Laura, she quickly got me set up with ideas, patterns, and people to contact. And I discovered I could knit in meetings! I began by using up bits and pieces of yarn left over from projects of my own. Some of the yarns turned out not to be acceptable for the delicate preemies. Then I learned which yarns and needles work best for smaller sizes and began to create a few patterns of my own or adapted those supplied by other knitters. I have been at it sporadically over the past two and a half years (I tend to knit more in the winter), mostly doing hats and booties. It is truly fun to see how many combinations of colors, textures, and sizes can be made from any one pattern. I consider each stitch a prayer for the health of the tiny recipient. Sometimes I have been able to assist with the distribution of the donations at UIHC. It is great meeting other volunteers and some of the nurses who care for the babies in NICU and PICU. We’ve learned a lot about the special needs of these precious ones.

When college students volunteered to knit without knowing how, I answered Laura’s call for a knitting class last year and in only a few sessions we were able to add some younger knitters to our ranks. Later a sorority asked for the same assistance and we did a blitz course just before end of the school year. Hopefully some of them are still knitting!

Many thanks to Laura for her creative ideas, her drive, her leadership and her vision to make this a truly successful and rewarding venture for all of us.

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