HOPKINTON – A Hopkinton woman, who heard about the need for dresses at a rescue center in Kenya, Africa from a friend, immediately started collecting supplies, and spending sleepless nights upstairs in her quiet sewing room.

Meribeth Richael recently began working towards her goal to make fifty "little dresses" for girls ages 6 months to 17 years old who live at the rescue center/orphanage.

On Saturday, June 18 at 9 a.m., women ages 12 and up are invited to help the locally-launched "Maddie and Nicole Little Dresses of Love Project" reach their goal of 50 "little dresses."

Other groups have done similar projects in the past; the pattern and assembly instructions copied for use by this local project may be found at http://sewlikemymom.com/the-ultimate-pillowcase-dress-post/. No sewing experience is required to participate; work will include cutting and ironing fabric as well as assembling and sewing the dresses.

Volunteers may choose to bring sewing scissors, sewing machines, extension cords, or fabric and sewing notions. Fabric should be soft, cotton-like material in pieces at least 24" long by 36" or 45" wide; smaller scraps will be used for details on the dresses. Fabric can be prints or solids, but should not include animals or animal prints, Holly Hobby type prints, holiday or patriotic prints. Sewing notions may include thread, lace edging, rickrack, bias binding, 1" ribbon, or appliqués.

The workday will be held at the meetinghouse of the Potsdam Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located at 21 Castle Dr., Potsdam; the facilities are wheelchair accessible.

Lunch will be provided if work continues past noon.

Richael's friend will be delivering the dresses directly to the rescue center in Kenya at the end of the summer. For more information, contact Ginger Akin, Potsdam Branch Relief Society President, at 744-8662, or Richael at 244-9044.