Quilts for Christ
For nearly a decade, a group of about 15 volunteers have been churning out over 60 handmade quilts a year and then turning them over to Lutheran World Relief so that they can be sent overseas. Handmade quilts have long been collected and cherished – and are pricey to purchase – but these women think nothing of creating these works of art, boxing them up and donating them to people around the world.
“It’s like an old-fashioned quilting bee,” said Lois Kane, who heads up the Quilts for Christ group. Volunteers work on the squares at home and then the quilts are assembled during two monthly meetings. “We have a meeting in the afternoon and then one in the evening for those who work during the day,” said Kane.
Working with donated fabric, the squares are stitched together in coordinating colors and patterns with the only criteria being that they measure 60 x 80”. “The mission isn’t fussy about how they look, but our ladies are,” said Kane. Sheets are purchased for the backing and huge rolls of fiberfill for the filling.
Before the finished quilts are boxed up, a dedication ceremony is held during which all of the quilts are draped over the church pews and blessed.
This year, instead of transporting the quilts to a site in Downtown Rochester, St. Paul’s Church served as the drop off location for churches in the Rochester area, Buffalo area and everywhere in between. Collectively, around 1,400 quilts were packed into a large truck that was headed to the Lutheran World Relief warehouse in Baltimore, Maryland. “We have a spacious parking lot and good storage, so we’re hoping to serve as the drop off in years to come,” said Kane.
In 2014, Lutheran World Relief sent 408,245 quilts to 19 countries, including Armenia, Iraq, Jordan, Nicaragua, Philippines, Serbia and Tanzania. The organization focuses on long term solutions to poverty and emergency operations, such as helping with recovery efforts after the Nepal earthquake.
“The quilts go to people who have nothing and fulfill a basic need,” said Kane. In addition to being a cozy, clean bed cover, the quilts are used as a baby carrier, tied around a mother’s back; a market display, spread on the ground and piled with vegetables; a sack for transporting those goods to market; a sunshade; or a shawl.
“Our hope is that the recipients will feel the love of Christ through the warmth of our quilts,” said Kane.
