We are all cut from a different piece of fabric, but our fibers make us one in the same.

A unique twist of events and a lifelong search for a birth family has brought upon a blessing and special relationship between Ranch Ehrlo Society and a Good Samaritan.

Margaret Smith, of St. Francois Xavier, Manitoba, began sewing clothing and blankets for children in care in 2011 when she felt indebted to social service agencies after learning the truth about her late mother’s childhood and adoption.

Margaret’s mother, Audrey, was born on Feb. 19, 1930, in the city of Regina. As a baby born out of wedlock, she was put up for adoption. Shortly after, a young 19-year-old social worker, Alice Dale, delivered Audrey to her adoptive family – changing the course of her life forever.

While Audrey was always aware of her adoption, she didn’t know the details and made efforts to trace her roots. Unfortunately, her search came to a dead end and closed before she passed away in July 2010. After her passing, her daughter Margaret felt compelled to learn more about the biological family they could never find.

Shayne Logan and Margaret Smith

A series of phone calls, emails, requests for information, and coincidences led to the eventual discovery of Audrey’s birth family.

In her success to fulfill her mother’s wishes and fill her family tree, Margaret thought about the adoption and other children in care.

“Alice Dale caught my attention and further investigations led me to Dales House. After I learned what they did for kids I wanted to send a donation, but not a financial one. I wanted to give something to the children and so I got busy.”

Margaret began to sew. She sewed pajamas and blankets, and purchased t-shirts, underwear, socks, and toothbrushes for the boys and girls in care.

“I can’t begin to say what a great feeling it is in knowing of the smiles I bring to (the children’s) faces with each blanket or pair of pajamas they receive,” she wrote in a letter addressed to Minister June Draude.

When Margaret learned of the impending closure of Dales House in 2014, she reached out to her contacts in hopes of connecting with a similar organization. And through association, she was introduced to Shayne Logan, the unit manager of Rorison House and long-time staff of Ranch Ehrlo Society.

“I was very pleased that she reached out and that she wanted to start a relationship with us,” said Shayne.

Margaret has been sewing clothing for Ranch Ehrlo’s Rorison House youth since 2014.

She mails packages of the homemade clothing throughout the year, and makes the seven-hour drive once in the spring and once in the fall to personally deliver the goods. She said it’s something she won’t do forever, but it makes her feel good to show the kids that there are always people who care.

“The children in care truly appreciate that someone they don’t know is willing to take time to do something for them,” said Shayne.