Being in the hospital, especially at a young age, can be scary. Sometimes, the cause of an illness is unknown or a surgery is required to feel better.

One Whitehall-Coplay Middle School teacher and her students are doing a project to help alleviate some of the stress and anxiety associated with a hospital stay. Sharon Gumhold, a family and consumer science educator, teaches sixth, seventh and eighth grades.

“I have been at WCMS since 2007 but taught math up until last school year,” she said. “Previously, I taught math for eight years in the Allentown School District.”

Gumhold, a resident of Schnecksville, said she wanted to complete a community service project with her students, and a hobby she really enjoys is making quilts.

“I thought it would be a great idea to instill the concept of giving with our students by donating to our local children’s hospital,” she said. “I previously taught these two boys - one graduated last year, and one is currently in ninth grade - who lost their sister to cancer a number of years ago. Their mom is a nurse, who also helps out in our school district.

“Bonding over our French bulldogs - they have Apple, and I have Jax - we became Facebook friends, and I learned of the prior death of her daughter from cancer and the impact it has had on her and her family.

“I wanted to do something to honor Ella’s memory,” Gumhold said.

This project is quite an undertaking. Gumhold and her students plan to make at least 40 quilts and the same for pillowcases. Gumhold is handling the quilts, and her students are making the pillowcases.

A number of select students, around 10, visit Gumhold during study periods when she is available. This happens about once a week.

“Since I am quilting all of the quilts by machine, and not by hand, the process is much faster. It probably takes me about five hours to complete the smaller-sized quilts that I am making. The pillowcases typically take the kids about 45 minutes to complete each one,” she said.

As of early January, 35 quilts and pillowcases each have been fully completed, many with fun designs.

“Much of the fabric was donated by some local and not-so-local shops and a quilt guild,” Gumhold said. “We have some Harry Potter, Disney, Mickey, Hello Kitty, sports themes and flowers.”

The date to drop off all the quilts and pillowcases at the hospital is Feb. 29.

Although Gumhold thinks they have enough fabric donations to complete their project, any monetary donations will go the hospital. If you would like to make a contribution, email Gumhold at gumholds@whitehallcoplay.org.

“My favorite part of this project is instilling the art of making things by hand and gifting to others,” Gumhold said. “These kids are so excited to be making these items for the kids at the hospital. They were especially excited now that we have a delivery date and they are going to get a chance to meet with the kids when we deliver the quilts.”