Woman designs stuffed pillows for sick children

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Many children treated at Riley Hospital go home with a puppy pillow. One volunteer has assured that thousands of children receive the cherished gift.

Her name is Freida Cosby. On this day she's arrived at Riley with her car piled to its peaks with puppy pillows, each personally crafted by Freida herself. She uses neither a pattern nor a stencil. Each puppy is uniquely designed and lovingly made.

Just this year, she's sewn 2,500 puppy pillows for the children at Riley. It took her 70 hours to make a batch of 425.

"While I'm watching television...I can stuff ears," she said.

Cosby has made more than 12,000 pillows since 1997. But she's never met any of the children who receive the usually anonymous gift.

"It’s been my secret desire to give a child a puppy because I've made them for so long," said Cosby.

24-Hour News 8 arranged for Cosby to meet one of the patients receiving one of her pillows.

Briana Allen, 14, makes frequent trips to Riley because she has sickle cell anemia, a genetic blood disorder.

"I've made that special for you, and I signed it," Cosby told the youngster.

It's a moment shared, a moment cherished by the young patient and the patron of puppy pillows.

"I like it, and it’s soft. It'll make me go to sleep," said Allen.

As for Cosby, she turned 90 this month. She's had parties, dinners and celebrations but she said the gift of giving is the best yet.

"That did me so much good! You don't know how much good that's done me because I always wanted to give a child a puppy," said Cosby.

Cosby left the hospital with a smile. It's fitting. Her puppies have been bringing smiles for years.

Cosby donates the pillows through the Riley Hospital Cheer Guild. If you'd like help the guild brighten the lives of children, call them at 317-274-8705 or visit cheerguild.org .

And if you know someone who is working to better their community, you can nominate them at hoosiershelpinghoosiers.org .