We were lucky to catch up with Marianne Sifer recently and have shared our conversation below.
Marianne, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?
I have been teaching dance since I was 13 years old. We had a family run Dance Studio and I taught 6 days a week, 3-4 hours a day. Having to manage my time between school, homework, teaching, and taking dance classes, you learn quick how to make everything work. My father was in the Army so I learned how to be diligent, and organized. Growing up in a household of seven, there was always something that had to be done.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
My husband and I started our nonprofit about 12 years ago in memory of our son Colin, who passed away from a genetic disorder when he was only a week old. This was a way to keep his memory alive, and reach out to help other sick or disadvantaged children in the Philadelphia area. Through Colin’s Angels I sew about 650 items per year, from pillowcases to blankets, pillows, super hero capes, monster dolls, to our signature monkeys. November thru December of every year is our Season of Giving, and we deliver to several Children’s Hospitals including CHOP, Shriners, St Christopher’s, all in Philadelphia, as well as some local like Doylestown Hospital and Abington Jeff. We also deliver to 2 Ronald McDonald Houses in the Philadelphia area, as well as Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Bucks County.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I was incredibly fortunate that my mother taught me to sew at a very young age, so it was natural to use my skills to make things for others. Luckily my husband Bill is a CPA, and runs the business side of our nonprofit and also designed our beautiful website. People can do anything they set their minds to, and having a village that is behind you gives you the confidence to know you can do it.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
Our nonprofit is really a small grassroots type of organization, and we have very generous and loyal supporters who we are so grateful to. I have tried many times to get sewing volunteers, but in today’s world, it’s a dying Art. Since I make everything myself I keep it at the 650 items per year as not to overwhelm myself.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.colinsangelspa.org
Image Credits
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