Grandma Do’s not just for grandmas

Carole Turek, Cheryl McDonald and Sherry Knox are three women with a passion for preserving history, especially when it comes to hand-woven fabrics like Chantilly lace.

The G. Do’s, as they are called, formed to “rescue, recycle and restore” handwork from our nation’s past and use it to create quality heirloom crafts, but ultimately they are looking to create a museum to show off these works to future generations.

The group restores old items and also creates new items like G. Do roses, which they sell to raise money, not only for the museum, but for organizations and projects in the community, according to McDonald.

“We just finished up an adoption with the YWCA’s ALIVE shelter,” she said.

The group said they are just getting started and are looking for more ways to help and more projects to do.

“We can do a lot of things,” McDonald said. “We can do community projects. Right now we are also adopting agencies.”

The ladies are currently working on a project for Youth For Christ. They are making care baskets for foster children who are aging out of the foster care system.

“We are going to fill up these baskets with things like toilet paper, diapers, blankets, glasses and other kitchen wares,” McDonald said. “Kids that are transitioning out of the foster care program are moving into their own homes and need a care package with all of the basics like laundry soap.”

Local businesses have helped the G. Do’s as well.

“We have had a lot of donators,” McDonald said. “Target gave us a $200 gift card for things like diapers and wipes. Also, Kenneth L. Salon and Spa donated hair care products for the ALIVE shelter.”

Turek said 10 cents of every dollar the group raises will go to building the museum and when she approached a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) about the idea, he said, “This is huge.”

“I told him this was like having a baby, getting it out of our minds and onto paper,” Turek said. “And he told me ‘You need to take it home and clean it up.’”

The group is not only looking for more projects to do and more organizations to adopt, but also more people to get involved.

“The G. Do’s is not a group only for grandmas,” Turek said. “It is a group for families.”

Contact Central Kitsap Reporter Staff writer Steven DeDual at sdedual@centralkitsapreporter.com or (360) 308-9161.

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