"It's a labor of love," said Sherry Robinson, Human Resources Manager at Hospice, "It's such a tangible way to give love to someone, especially since the patients are in a bad situation. These ladies are all Hospice volunteers, and they've got a cancer pad factory going in Perry."

A sampling of the churches represented at the outreach was First Baptist Perry, St. Patrick Catholic Church, Crossroads United Methodist, Perry Presbyterian, Henderson Baptist, CrossPoint Baptist, and Houston Lake Baptist. Many ladies pointed out that participating in this ministry provides an excellent way to meet women from other churches in the area.

The cancer pad ministry was started 15 years ago by Agnes Hardy, 93, Connette Gayle and Mary Barker. Agnes Hardy is still participating in the monthly meetings and was sitting at the pinning table, pinning the three layers of the cancer pads together for the sewers to stitch by hand.

"The pads are thrown away after they're soiled, but they are so much softer and more comfortable than their disposable counterparts that it's worth it for the patient's comfort to provide these. We've heard so many good reports about these pads," said Agnes.

The reason the pads are so soft is that they're made from used sheets donated by area motels. Heart of Georgia Hospice donates the padding, and area dry cleaners donate the plastic.

"The volunteers who make the cancer pads for Hospice use threads of love. They have a full understanding of what we are about and what these pads are used for. They understand that a small bit of comfort really goes a long way in the lives of those experiencing a terminal illness," said Tim Poole, Executive Director of Heart of Georgia Hospice.

Helen Cleland, who heads up the cancer pad ministry today, arrives early to set up the tables with materials for the workers who assemble at 9 a.m. , and get right to work. The padding and plastic are cut to size. The sheets are torn to size. One table of ladies pins the three layers together for the tables of sewers, who sew the pads by hand using a simple basting stitch. The completed pads are inspected for pins and placed in bags by the dozen.

Helen, described by her fellow workers as "faithful and organized," makes monthly calls to remind everyone about the meeting and also celebrates birthdays and mentions prayer concerns during the two-hour work session. The workers have a coffee break, too, complete with cake and other goodies.

The April 4 meeting included two special guests, on spring break from area schools. Shane Huffman, 10, accompanied his grandmother, Ann Huffman, and Helen Cleland brought her neighbor Peyton Josey, 7. Shane and Peyton went right to work, inspecting the completed cancer pads and counting them out by the dozen to place in plastic bags for delivery to Hospice.

"We all enjoy the fellowship of the morning and my reward is to see how many pads have been prepared during this short period of time knowing that they will meet the needs of those in our community," said Jeannette Arrington.

"I've seen the need for these pads in our community, and I've always said that we make these pads, but we never know who's going to be the recipient," said Annie Andel.

Now, however, one of the group's own volunteers is being cared for by Heart of Georgia Hospice. And you can bet that she's the recipient of the softest cancer pads ever made.

The Cancer Pad ministry meets the first Wednesday of each month from 9 to 11 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall of First Baptist Church Perry, located on 1105 Main Street in Perry. Come join this worthwhile effort.