SPRINGVILLE, Utah -- Reports that babies were being sent home wrapped in newspapers because hospitals and parents in an impoverished nation didn't have blankets caused Zora May Johnston Turner great concern. While no one would expect an elderly woman who is legally blind to do anything to help relieve suffering and discomfort in a far-away land, she knew she had to do something. She felt a prompting: "Zora May, you can do better than that; you can make something better than newspapers."
So she did. For several years now she has made blankets, which she donates to the LDS Humanitarian Center for distribution to the needy. Officials at the center said that she has made and donated more than 1,000 blankets.She's still sewing.
News reporters learned about her charitable sewing a few years ago but when they went calling at her home asking for interviews, she said, "No way! I don't want any publicity." She sent them away, but not empty-handed; she gave each one a blanket. However, having recognized the power of example, she agreed to a Church News interview, saying that if others saw what a 91-year-old blind woman is doing then, perhaps, they would look at their own skills and do something to help others.
"The Lord has given us different talents, and isn't that wonderful because different kinds of service are needed," she said matter-of-factly. "The Lord blesses you so you can do things you ought to in order to help others. When you're old, you have to do things that you're used to doing. If you've never sewn before in your life, you can't just start sewing blankets when you're 90. You do what you know how to do.
"From the time I was 12, I wanted to make things. I sewed every chance I got. When I was a teenager, I'd go dancing and make a new dress every two to three weeks for the dances. I've made suits, coats, dresses, blouses -- just about everything. I got out of making clothes about 10 years or so ago because I'm legally blind. I got to where I couldn't read the patterns, so I just quit.
"Then a friend told me how to make blankets. I pin the pieces together then feel the pins to guide the stitches on the sewing machine. I can see some things, if I use a jeweler's glass. Doing this is a blessing. I'm not going to quit. I don't want to die today and be buried in 10 years; I'm just going to keep on sewing."
Friends and family members help supply her with fabric for the blankets, which are more like machine-stitched quilts. When batting goes on sale, she buys several bundles at a time. "I pile them up in the back room," she said. "I use an old sewing machine; it's electric but it has just one stitch. You don't need anything fancy to serve others. Sometimes, arthritis in my foot bothers me when I press down on the pedal. I just use the other foot."
Sister Turner (who is known among members of the Hobble Creek 8th Ward, Springville Utah Hobble Creek Stake, as Sister Johnston) has a lot to say about positive thinking. "Life is an attitude," she declared. "You can get up in the morning and be miserable or be happy. When you get to be my age, you'll hurt someplace. But if you want to do something, with the Lord's help, you'll figure out what and how."
She said she derives great pleasure in making blankets to give away, especially for children who face difficult circumstances.
"When I've finished, I fold each blanket and hold it close, and ask the Lord to bless it, that it will bring comfort, peace and hope to whoever receives it. Every blanket is made with unselfish love. I'm just thankful I can do this. It isn't a big thing, but it is something. It's my way of doing something to help the Lord by helping some of His children. I know that some of my blankets have gone to other countries. I don't care where they go, and I don't care if I ever hear where they were sent; I just want them to be used. I make them out of material that can be washed. I make them as soft as I can and do my best to make them nice for the people who receive them. Before I start a blanket, I thank the Lord for the blessings He has given me. Without Him, I couldn't do anything."
Sister Turner said that when she hears about children who are victims of war, natural disaster, poverty or other tribulations, she thinks, "Oh, if I could just wrap them up in one of my blankets, they would feel better."
While much of her concentration is on making blankets to be distributed by the LDS Humanitarian Center, she makes blankets for other purposes. Practically everybody with whom she has any personal contact has received one of her blankets. When she hears through a relative or friend about anyone who is sick, lonely or facing problems, she sends him or her a blanket, whether she knows the individual or not.
"I call them magic blankets, because when people wrap up in them, their problems seem to become smaller," she said.
Guidelines
The Latter-day Saint Humanitarian Center has established service project guidelines to ensure usefulness, durability and safety of donations. Guidelines should be followed closely. The guidelines are posted at the following link:
Latter-day Saint Humanitarian Center Service project guidelines
Copies are available also by writing to Latter-day Saint Humanitarian Center, P.O. Box 27528, Salt Lake City, UT, 84127-0528. Completed items may be mailed or taken to: The Latter-day Saint Humanitarian Center, 1665 Bennett Road (1665 S. 2030 West), Salt Lake City, UT, 84104.