Downy(R) and Soap Opera Star Leticia Calderon Bring a 'Touch of Comfort' to Hospitalized Children Through Donation of Quilts

MIAMI, March 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Each year in the United States, children account for more than six million hospital stays and must confront the challenges of overcoming illness while being away from home and the people they love. To help provide some comfort to kids while they fight to get well, Downy fabric softener has partnered with Quilt for Kids, Inc. and Las Comadres to sew more than 100 hand-made quilts to distribute to children through the brand's "Touch of Comfort" program.

Started in early 2009, Downy's Touch of Comfort was created in partnership with non-profit organization Quilts for Kids, Inc. to deliver hand-made quilts to children staying in Children's Miracle Network hospitals throughout the country.  Downy has partnered with Las Comadres – an international organization of Latinas with networks in more than 90 cities and 12,000 members -- to participate in the brand's pledge to deliver 10,000 quilts to children.  Soap opera star and mother of two Leticia Calderon visited Miami Children's Hospital on February 24th to kick off the program's initiative aimed at helping Latinas contribute to the cause.

"Every mother, anyone who has a child in their life, knows how important it is to comfort them when they get a scraped knee, feel scared or miss their family—and a hand-made quilt for hospitalized kids is like a warm hug to let them know we care," said Leticia Calderon. "I am proud and grateful to be a part of this effort and encourage all Latinas to consider donating their time to support Quilts for Kids, join a quilt making group, do a family project, or join Las Comadres, to reach the brand's goal of 10,000 quilts."

Downy created Touch of Comfort with Quilts for Kids, Inc. because of the organization's dedication to delivering quilts that comfort hospitalized children.  To date, Quilts for Kids, Inc. has distributed more than 60,000 quilts worldwide and has more than 50 chapters across the nation.

"We have been bringing a soft touch to homes for almost 50 years and this is an important way to show our commitment to helping provide comfort to families around the nation," said Marc Villegas, Brand Manager for Downy.  "This program is close to our hearts and we want to do our part to help Quilts for Kids provide personal, volunteer-made quilts to children being treated at hospitals around the nation."

Linda Arye, president of Quilts for Kids, Inc., says, "Together, Downy and Quilts for Kids, Inc. are working to help provide these children moments of joy and comfort, making them feel more comforted in an unfamiliar place."

Las Comadres is initially organizing quilting groups in five cities: Miami, Houston, San Antonio, Los Angeles and New York, with Comadres in more cities working on individual projects. Latinas interested in joining a local quilting group can go to www.LasComadres.org to learn more or visit QuiltsforKids.org to start their own.  

"Our Comadres are nurturers and this program is a great opportunity for us to give back to the community we love, and engage Latinas who we know are looking for ways to connect with charities that matter and that make a difference in children's lives," said Nora de Hoyos Comstock, president of Las Comadres.

For more information about Downy Touch of Comfort visit: www.downy.com. On the site, visitors can learn how to:

• Order a quilt kit to create a quilt and send to Quilts for Kids, Inc. for distribution to a child in need
• Find information about how to make a direct donation to Quilts for Kids, Inc.
• Find out how to contact local Quilts for Kids, Inc. chapter to get directly involved
• Share stories about the quilt they have created or how the program has impacted them

About Procter & Gamble

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About Quilts for Kids, Inc.

Quilts for Kids, Inc. is a non-profit organization that transforms discontinued designer fabrics into quilts that comfort hospitalized children suffering from life-threatening illnesses as well children of abuse.    

Headquartered in Yardley, PA, Quilts for Kids, Inc. was founded in August 2000 by Linda Arye.  The organization was established with hopes of comforting children hospitalized with life threatening illnesses by providing a hand made patchwork quilt.  These quilts are created by caring volunteer quilters nationwide who wish to make a difference in the lives of these hospitalized children.  Since then, the charity has distributed over 60,000 quilts worldwide and saved millions of pounds of fabric from landfills. Quilts for Kids, Inc. is associated with children's hospitals throughout the United States and has 50 chapters throughout North America.

Because of allergens, children often cannot bring their stuffed animals to the hospital. However, most hospitals and treatment centers welcome the Quilts for Kids, Inc. washable, all-cotton quilts, which kids can hold onto for security and comfort.

To learn more about Quilts for Kids, Inc., visit www.QuiltsforKids.org.

About Las Comadres

Las Comadres is a nationwide grassroots-based group of Latinas that was launched informally in April 2000 in Austin, Texas. The international networks were created in 2003 and have now grown to over 90 U.S. cities. Its 12,000 strong membership keeps Latinas connected via email networks, teleconferences, and monthly potluck events in individual cities. More information on Las Comadres can be found at www.lascomadres.org.

About Miami Children's Hospital Foundation

Miami Children's Hospital Foundation (MCHF) is a not-for profit 501 (C) (3) established by Ambassador David M. Walters to fund a world-class pediatric hospital in the community so no child ever need leave South Florida for the best pediatric medical care available.  Its guiding principle is that children's health care is everyone's primary concern and all children deserve access to state-of-the-art medical care, with no financial boundaries.  Through the Foundation's mission of "Funding World-Class Care," 289-bed Miami Children's Hospital today is a leader in pediatric healthcare with more than 40 subspecialties, the largest pediatric neurology center in the U.S., one of the top providers of cardiology and neonatology services, and a Research Institute conducting in excess of 150 clinical trials and protocols at any given time.  

Miami Children's Hospital is one of 170 pediatric hospitals in North America affiliated with Children's Miracle Network and South Florida's only freestanding Hospital dedicated exclusively to children.  To learn more about the Foundation and offer support, visit www.mchf.org, or call 305-666-2889 (toll free: 1-800-987-8701).

SOURCE Procter & Gamble