During the meeting of the Greater Federation of Women’s Clubs-Alabama Federation of Women’s Clubs District I meeting held last weekend in Russellville, members of the Russellville Book Lovers Club paid special tribute to a member who touched many lives in the Russellville community.

Past AFWC President Sue Hester and Book Lovers Club President Susie Malone presented current AFWC President Cynthia Geis with a ceramic iris to be displayed at the AFWC headquarters in memory of Louise Hyatt, who was a member of the Book Lovers Club for many years.

“There is nothing that Louise wouldn’t do for anyone,” Hester said. “She was my dear friend and a special lady.”

Also during the meeting, members heard from a representative from Sew Much Comfort whose group takes volunteering for soldiers to a completely different level.

Joy Cambell, the GFWC ambassador for the public charity Sew Much Comfort, told the group about the organization and how they make adaptive clothing for troops who have undergone extensive medical treatment that includes prosthetics, fixators and casts – all of which are too bulky to fit under regular clothing.

In an effort to restore dignity to the men and women who made tremendous sacrifices for their country, this group makes clothing to fit around any bulky equipment so they can wear normal clothing during their recovery as opposed to hospital gowns.

“No one wants to meet the president to receive an award wearing a hospital gown,” Campbell said. “These soldiers deserve to wear everyday clothes just like you an me.”

Sew Much Comfort was started in 2004 and since its inception has delivered over 95,000 pieces of adaptive clothing to the military free of charge.

Campbell said they have received numerous cards e-mails and phone calls thanking the people who volunteer for Sew Much Comfort for the services they are providing at of the goodness of their own hearts.

“I heard from a soldier from Mississippi whose wife said he cried when he received his clothes because that was the first time he was able to wear anything other than a hospital gown since the time he was injured,” Campbell said. “He wanted to pay someone for the clothes, but I told him, ‘No sir, you’ve paid enough.’”

The GFWC-AFWC is partnering with Sew Much Comfort to offer support of the organization but others can offer their support as well through donations of clothing or by volunteering. To find out how, visit. www.sewmuchcomfort.org.