The local sewing club that meets in back of the Sampson Independent’s office is getting some help with their broken sewing machines, thanks to two community members who are giving of their time and talent so the ladies of the sewing club can keep on doing what they love.
One of the generous volunteers is Ann Oliver, owner of Ann’s Sew-N-Vac, who came to inspect the machines a week ago and ended up taking one of them back to her shop to repair. “That one needs a gear,” said Oliver, noting that she started with the machines the ladies need fixed the most. “There’s a couple more that I’m going to go back and work on, but I don’t think it’s going to be anything major. They have nice machines; most of it is just a matter of cleaning.”
Running her own business keeps Oliver very busy, but she feels it is important to make time to do for others. “I would love to take the time to go out and teach classes with the sewing club, but I can’t do that because I’m so busy. However, I can take my knowledge to them in this other way and help get their machines in working condition again.”
“Also, the ladies are sewing so we’re involved in the same industry. They’ve probably done business with me before and they are so nice, so this is an opportunity for me to give back,” added Oliver.
Oliver’s decision to assist the sewing club was also influenced by her faith and God’s goodness in her own life. “It’s what God would expect me to do,” shared Oliver. “God has blessed me so much and I think it’s my job to share it and pass it on. When God leads you to do something, you do it.”
The other volunteer who answered the sewing club’s call for help is Morgan Wireman. “He told me he had taken his wife’s sewing machine apart and fixed it so he thought he might could come and help us,” said Phyllis McKee, head of the sewing club.
“My grandmother was an avid sewer in years past, and my mother-in-law makes us lots of quilts,” shared Wireman about the sources of his knowledge on sewing.
“I came out today to look at the machines and to see if I could help,” explained Wireman as he began examining one of the sewing machines. “I have a good feeling about this.”
Wireman had more than a good feeling. Although he was there just to evaluate, he was able to quickly get one of the sewing club’s Singer sewing machines up and running again. Still, although the machine worked, Wireman decided to take it with him in order to give it a good cleaning.
“It’s a nice, heavy-built machine, but it does look well loved though,” Wireman noted with a smile as he packed up the Singer.
“I just like fixing things,” he said about donating his time to help the sewing club. “Something always needs to be fixed or adjusted. Also, I’m medically retired so it gives me something to do and it helps others. I just thought it would be a ncie thing to do.”
“We had quite a few people here yesterday,” McKee said of the sewing club’s gathering on Tuesday. “There’s not always enough [working] machines for everyone, so we’re very appreciative for the help.”
Lauren Williams can be reached at 910-592-8137, ext. 117 or via email at lwilliams@civitasmedia.com.
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