Sew many Stockings, Sew Much Love

Rayola volunteers exceeded their 2025 goal by sewing and donating 811 handmade Christmas stockings, each created with love to bring comfort, connection, and joy to children in foster care.

By Jude Henrie

How long does it take to sew a Christmas stocking? How long would you need to make 800? When we set our 2025 goal for Christmas stockings, we knew we were asking a lot from our volunteers. Thanks to your dedication, we didn’t just reach that goal… we exceeded it. As of early October, 811 stockings have been lovingly sewn and donated.

That’s 811 children who will wake up this Christmas to find a handmade stocking waiting for them—put together by someone who took the time to make them feel remembered and loved. 

While we’ve already blown past our yearly goal, our mission isn’t done yet. If you’re still working on stockings—keep sewing! We’ll need even more next year and would love to continue building our stash for the future. Every extra stocking you make helps prepare to reach even more children next Christmas.

If you’re a new volunteer and want to get involved, it’s never too late to join in. Under the “Get Involved” tab on the Rayola website, you’ll find a section called “Sewing Patterns.” There you’ll find:

• Step-by-step instructions on how to sew a basic Christmas stocking

• Free downloadable patterns you can print and follow at home

• Video tutorials to use as a visual aid when sewing a stocking

  
  

Whether you’re a seasoned quilter or you just dusted off your sewing machine for the first time in years, give it a shot, and help us make a difference.

“Why not just buy stockings in bulk?”

When we set lofty goals like sewing 800 Christmas stockings, we are often asked “Why don’t you just go to Walmart? Why not just buy stockings in bulk and hand them out?”

It’s a fair question. After all, mass-produced stockings are cheaper and faster to get. But that’s not what Rayola is about. When we choose to make something instead of buying it, we’re doing more than filling a need—we’re filling hearts.

For many children in foster care, the Christmas season can feel uncertain. Some are away from their families for the first time. Some have moved around to different homes every year. Some may not have a stocking at all. That’s where your handmade stockings—and quilts, and pillowcases—make all the difference. That message lasts far longer than Christmas morning. It builds connection, comfort, and belonging—three things every child deserves.

Rayola Founder and President Keri Withers put it best: “We make our own Christmas stockings because it shows someone that I took the time to sit down and create this for you. They’re just better. Homemade bread is better; homemade applesauce is better. Things are better when they’re homemade.”

And she’s right. There’s something about a handmade gift that carries a piece of the giver inside it. Every stitch tells someone they matter. Every seam says someone took hours out of their day to make this for someone else. That’s the kind of love a store-bought stocking can’t deliver. You don’t need to be an expert sewer to make a difference—homemade isn’t about perfection.  A handmade stocking says, “I gave my time for you.” It says, “You’re worth the effort.” That’s why at Rayola, we’ll always choose handmade.

Beyond the Stockings

Stockings are just one part of Rayola’s greater mission to wrap children in love—literally and figuratively. Throughout the year, volunteers also make quilts, pillowcases, blankets, and other handmade items for kids, infants, and teens facing difficult circumstances.

At Rayola’s sewing days, volunteers gather to craft these items, chat with friends and fellow volunteers, and connect to a community dedicated to doing good. It’s a time to share stories, swap fabric, and feel the warmth of community. You’ll leave not only with finished stockings but also with a full heart and new friends.

On our website, go to the events page to find our calendar. There you can see our schedule of upcoming events. Plan to attend a sewing day soon!   Location: 4007 S M30, West Branch, MI 48661  What to bring: Sewing machine and lunch.  We’ll provide: Snacks, materials, and lots of festive fun!

Whether you come for an hour or stay all day, you’ll be part of something truly special. If you’ve never been to a Rayola sewing day before—this is the perfect time to start!

Thank you

To everyone who sewed stockings, donated materials, or helped spread the word: thank you. You made this milestone possible. You’re turning hours of sewing into smiles this Christmas season. Reaching 811 stockings isn’t just about a number—it’s about the love behind every one of them. While we’re proud of hitting our goal, we know this is just the beginning. 

So don’t store the sewing machine just yet, because as long as there are children who need belonging, we’ll keep sewing. We hope you will too.