Ribbons
The Ribbons that the NLMSF use to represent the foundation have a rich history. Below you can find information on the ribbons and the volunteers that make them possible.
The History of the Ribbons
The late Nancy Hoag is the creator and the original ribbon maker. Back in 2001, Nancy wanted to start an awareness project that would be world wide. The official LMS ribbon was created. The purple is for Ladonna Blackmeyer, the founder of the first LMS online support group. She draink grape soda while she was having chemo. The green ribbon rose is for Orland Hetherington, co-owner of the original online support group.
Originally Nancy made all the ribbons. She made over 35,000 ribbons while she was on chemo. The ribbon project gave Nancy a reason and purpose to forge ahead when she wasn't feeling well. Nancy Hoag passed July 18, 2002 from her LMS.
After Nancy passed away from her LMS, Ed Hoag, met and married Lori, who had also lost her spouse to a cancer. Together Ed and Lori continued to make the ribbons until our wonderful volunteers Theresa, Ken and Cheryl took over the project.
Originally Nancy made all the ribbons. She made over 35,000 ribbons while she was on chemo. The ribbon project gave Nancy a reason and purpose to forge ahead when she wasn't feeling well. Nancy Hoag passed July 18, 2002 from her LMS.
After Nancy passed away from her LMS, Ed Hoag, met and married Lori, who had also lost her spouse to a cancer. Together Ed and Lori continued to make the ribbons until our wonderful volunteers Theresa, Ken and Cheryl took over the project.
LMS Ribbons and Cards Today
Cheryl and Theresa
For those of you who think these come from some factory, boy are you wrong! My husband (Ken) and I (Theresa) took this over a couple of years ago from Ed and Lori. We felt like they do so much that some of the stuff needed to be done by others who are willing and able, leaving their time to raise more funds and having a life. So here is the supplies arrive at my house.
A box full of cards- holes have to be punched in each and every one.
Rolls of LMS ribbons- have to be cut and glued and then hole punched.
Pins- all have to be roughed up or the roses wont stick.
Roses- arrive on a 4-6 inch wire. Rosed must be dipped in a stiffening solution and hung to dry. Then cut off the wire being careful not to cut too close or it falls apart. Once cut they are glued on the pins. Then attached to the ribbon and then to the card. TA DA! You get the end result without ever realizing that three people work very hard and long on them.
Those three people are:
Ken Miller roughs up the pins. We have it down to a science now and we use a little drill, still very time consuming job. Remember that we do thousands of these.
Theresa Miller handles the roses. Stiffening, drying, cutting and gluing.
Cheryl Miller (no relation, but a great friend to us) punches the holes in the cards, cuts, glues and punches holes in the ribbon. Once I get the roses to her she puts them all together and you get the finished product when you contact the foundation saying you need ribbons.
When ribbons are requested, I am the one who counts and boxes them up. I normally include a note of some sort and maybe even a small present. My husband takes it to the post office. We have made many many trips and are happy at the effort to get the word out.
My highest praise goes out to my husband Ken and my great friend Cheryl. Without their efforts it would take me forever to do this project.
Hope-Always,
Theresa
A box full of cards- holes have to be punched in each and every one.
Rolls of LMS ribbons- have to be cut and glued and then hole punched.
Pins- all have to be roughed up or the roses wont stick.
Roses- arrive on a 4-6 inch wire. Rosed must be dipped in a stiffening solution and hung to dry. Then cut off the wire being careful not to cut too close or it falls apart. Once cut they are glued on the pins. Then attached to the ribbon and then to the card. TA DA! You get the end result without ever realizing that three people work very hard and long on them.
Those three people are:
Ken Miller roughs up the pins. We have it down to a science now and we use a little drill, still very time consuming job. Remember that we do thousands of these.
Theresa Miller handles the roses. Stiffening, drying, cutting and gluing.
Cheryl Miller (no relation, but a great friend to us) punches the holes in the cards, cuts, glues and punches holes in the ribbon. Once I get the roses to her she puts them all together and you get the finished product when you contact the foundation saying you need ribbons.
When ribbons are requested, I am the one who counts and boxes them up. I normally include a note of some sort and maybe even a small present. My husband takes it to the post office. We have made many many trips and are happy at the effort to get the word out.
My highest praise goes out to my husband Ken and my great friend Cheryl. Without their efforts it would take me forever to do this project.
Hope-Always,
Theresa
How to order Ribbons
Ordering ribbons is simple. All it takes is sending an email message to Theresa with the following information:
Please also include if it is you, or your loved one that has LMS. I like to send cards and pray for people and it having names helps.
Please remember there is no charge for these ribbons- But if you want to give a donation for the cause that is great.
Thanks for helping get the word out about LMS. We have got to find a cure for this awful disease.
Hope-Always,
Theresa
- Your name
- The address where you want the ribbons sent
- How many ribbons you want
Please also include if it is you, or your loved one that has LMS. I like to send cards and pray for people and it having names helps.
Please remember there is no charge for these ribbons- But if you want to give a donation for the cause that is great.
Thanks for helping get the word out about LMS. We have got to find a cure for this awful disease.
Hope-Always,
Theresa