“Pillowcase dresses will be taken on our mission trip March 12-19 and distributed to needy children in the Dominican Republic as well as Haitian refugees who also live there,” said Judy Deel. Deel who will go on the Mill Creek Baptist Church mission, gathered willing women and 100 pillow cases donated by the church and community to make the dresses. Women from Mill Creek Baptist Church spent all afternoon Thursday Feb. 23 and hoped to finish Monday Feb 28. The pillowcases have mostly been used, but are in a soft gently worn condition.

Rachel Mariano heard about the idea from her daughter in Ohio.

It is an Internet  initiative called, “Little Dresses for Africa, ” that has been modified for the  MCBC mission. Many sewers are now  making dresses for children around the world. Deel hopes the idea will catch on around the entire area for those looking for a simple and  inexpensive to perform a Christian mission.

Each dress has a pocket and the children of the church are donating small stuffed animals and toys for the pockets. The group is also planning to take a pair of flip flops  for each dress. “For a child who has nothing, this will be everything,” noted Deel. The dress sizes go from 6-9 months up to a girls size 10.

Those who helped Deel on Thursday included, Dot Kennedy, Maureen Moskowz, Rachel Mariano, Theresa Stevens, Nancy Bowser, Barabara Zahl and Marqueita Brown.

To make a donation of flip flops or  money for the trip, contact the church office at 992-3474