Tie Dyeing Shirts in Memory of Parsley Students

This year's Community Service Project was inspired by Parsley student Zach Mayo who spent much of the last year in and out of hospitals.  Realizing that wearing hospital gowns day after day is not fun for any child, former Parsley student, Jordan Pipkin, wanted to create a non-profit organization that would brighten the hospital stays for children by providing t-shirt hospital-style gowns.  With help from her mom, Shannon Pipkin, they were able to make this dream come true. 

Parsley chose to be a part of this special project by tie dyeing t-shirts.  Parsley students donated t-shirts in sizes from child small through adult sizes.  More than 600 t-shirts were tie dyed by all students and many staff members.  

For an entire week during art class, Art teacher, Mrs. Sload led the students through the tie dying process.  She demonstrated a variety of ways to prepare the shirts for dyeing. 

The students, Kindergarten through 5th grade, each took a shirt and folded, twisted, tied, or crumpled their shirts and secured them with multiple rubber bands. 



The students had the option of dipping their shirts into one of three sets of colors.  Mrs. Sload showed the students how to do this as well and then it was up to the students to dye their shirts.  Dipping the shirts in each color for a few seconds, the process was now complete.

After sitting for twenty four hours, the shirts were unwrapped and hung to dry before being washed.  The end results, each one unique, created beautiful designs and patterns.

Our t-shirts will be transformed into hospital garments by e-Z Tee volunteers who will cut open the back of each shirt and sew on ties.  These special shirts will then be distributed to children who are sick in the hospital here in Wilmington, in Chapel Hill and in Cincinnati, where Zack was treated for several months. Accompanying each shirt is a 'Get Well' card made by a Parsley student.

 

This project could not have been successful without help from many parent volunteers who not only assisted students during art class but also helped behind the scenes.

Our participation in helping make these e-Z Tees is our way of honoring and remembering Zack and another former Parsley student, Sergio Conseco-Martinez.   Though no longer with us, we carry their memories in our hearts.