On Sunday morning, January 6, 2013, Laundry Baskets Full of Love lost one of its greatest supporters and volunteers when our mother Blanche Hull, passed away peacefully in her sleep. She enjoyed her last evening with her children, laughing and having a bowl of chili that she had requested. She had undergone triple bypass heart surgery on October 29 and spent the remainder of her days in hospitals and rehab centers, trying to build her strength back up.
Mom spent many hours doing tangible volunteer work here at LBFOL, like helping fill baskets and cutting and applying hundreds of stickers to the individual items. While we were very thankful for her physical help, it was her moral support and encouragement that meant the most. She never wavered in voicing her support for the ministry of LBFOL and we know she spent countless hours praying for our success in helping deliver God’s love, one laundry basket at a time. We also know that right now she is still petitioning heaven on our behalf and bragging to every angel she can find about this ministry.
One of the highlights of her year was the Cotton Carnival Parade here in Sikeston. She put in many hours helping decorate the float, and when parade day came, she learned what it felt like to be a celebrity. As she rode in the tow vehicle, she waved to the crowds and drank in the cheers that came her way from those along the street. It was a real thrill for her.
She was very excited and really looking forward to being a part of Project Christmas Basket. But her surgery and recovery wouldn’t allow it. She was sedated and on a ventilator on the day we delivered the baskets, and honestly, that was probably the only way she could have been kept from being there. As she recovered and the ventilator was removed, she was very happy to see the pictures and video from the event and to hear our stories of how the day went and the reactions of the residents as they received their baskets.
Her passing has given Laundry Baskets Full of Love a new reason to exist. Not only are we delivering God’s love, one laundry basket at a time, but we are honored to be able to continue in memory of Blanche Hull. We believe that a little bit of what made Mom very special to us is added by an angel as a special blessing to each basket we deliver now.
We have set up the special Memorial link above if you’d like to make a donation in memory of Blanche and as always, thank you for your support of Laundry Baskets Full of Love.
The Entire Hull Family