“To the world you may just be someone, but to someone you may be the world.”

I had heard this saying before, but it had so much more impact coming from the mouth of a teenager in Texas. Her name is Marijon and she was one of thousands of people who were touched by my Sewing With Nancy series of programs called Sew A Smile. On these shows I introduced viewers to some extraordinary individuals and groups who use their sewing, quilting, knitting, and crocheting skills to help others. Marijon was so inspired by our story about how a simple jumper uniform means little Haitian girls can go to school. She put her hands and heart to work to make uniforms for a group called Open Your Heart to Haiti.

When the series first aired in 1998 I never imagined that we would receive so many letters from people who wanted to learn how they, too, could help. Nor would I have believed how many people are already involved in helping projects. Not only did my staff and I read—sometimes through eyes filled with tears—all the letters and emails, we saved many of them. Next we collected the stories and projects into a book, which we called Creative Kindness, published by Reiman Publications. In its pages we wrote about some remarkable people and their special projects.

In 2005, we did a follow up DVD called Creative Kindness Continues. My guest and co-author Gail Brown and I update you with new project ideas and Creative Kindness happenings that continue to flourish. Since the inception of Creative Kindness, Gail Brown has also written several articles about those in need.

This book and DVD are dedicated to the generous volunteers who practice creative kindness every day. We’ve written about many of those hometown heroes—and encourage you to read about these Creative Kindness Stars on the Internet, too.

We also are happy to provide a list of resources so you can find out who, where, and how your skills are needed.

If you have specific questions or would like to share your own Creative Kindness story, feel free to email us.