Oswego Industries, Inc. Textiles employee Lesa Granger with one of the dolls created for the Golisano Children’s Hospital Pediatric Unit. Oswego Industries, Inc. donates fabric for the project, which is completed by 2 area quilt guilds.

Fulton – Oswego Industries, Inc. Textiles employee Lesa Granger has been facilitating the tracing, sewing, cutting out, stuffing and dressing of dolls for the Golisano Children’s Hospital Pediatric Unit during non-work hours in collaboration with local quilt guilds. Oswego Industries, Inc., sister agency of the ARC of Oswego County, has supported the effort by contributing excess fabric for local quilt guild members to use in making tiny hospital gowns and pajamas for the dolls, to give children a sense of comfort during a difficult procedure.

The dolls are used to show young patients where their incisions will be. The dolls also allow doctors to demonstrate the use of a “port” using the half rubber ball the quilt guild members sew into each doll’s chest. Children have the opportunity to select from a variety of colorfully dressed dolls and to even draw their own faces on the dolls.

Oswego Industries, Inc.’s donated fabric also allows the group to make placemats for the North Area Meals on Wheels program. The guild members come from municipalities throughout Oswego County.

Since 1993, Seneca Cayuga ARC has contracted with the Defense Logistics Agency of the Defense Supply Center of Philadelphia, now known as DLA Troop Support, for the production of black knit caps.  The fleece cap contract was awarded in 2005 when the Army requested a change in the cold weather cap. Each and every knit and fleece cap must meet strict specifications prior to being accepted for distribution to newly-enlisted army and naval personnel, and Seneca Cayuga ARC is the exclusive supplier of these caps to the military.

While mutually-beneficial, this partnership between the federal government and Seneca Cayuga ARC has provided gainful employment for people with disabilities in the community.

Seneca Cayuga ARC  recently showed its appreciation by naming the Defense Logistics Agency their 2008 Employer of the Year.