Today I am stealing a post from Jeff Sutor's Bodine-DILLIGAF blog. I was going to rewrite it to make it mine and then I decided that I couldn't improve on, or hold a candle to, the original author.
It is an article about 15 -20 ladies who gather in BFE Sutor Woods to quilt. That by itself isn't very newsworthy; I imagine there are hundreds of such groups around the country. What is newsworthy and what you need to know is they gather to make a quilt for charity.
This , then is the original article, compliments of Jeff and I hope you enjoy it.
I probably should have done this some time ago but as they say, better late than never. On the last Thursday of every month it is my privilege to prepare lunch for some of the nicest women in Knox County. They come out here, as Mike says, in BFE, to quilt. These are quilts that no one can buy. Quilts that none of the ladies ever show off as theirs. Quilts that are given free of charge to a variety of groups. Those groups have included: Quilts of valor, Quilts for Kids, St. Judes Children's Hospital, Lutheran Social Services, Catholic Charities, Safe Harbor Family Crisis Center, Illinois Veteran's Hoem and other groups I don't know about or have forgotten to mention.
The group sits down and decides where the quilts go. No one is in charge. It is a group effort from beginning to end. All the fabric, batting and labor are donated. The ladies contribute money when batting is needed and between dates when the group meets, Carol works on quilting the tops that are completed. Some of the ladies also do quilting or or take bundles of fabric home to work on during the month. Last year over 150 quilts were donated to various charities. It appears that total will be surpassed this year. So every month 15 to 20 ladies come out to our house and working our basement.
Personal Note:
It is an article about 15 -20 ladies who gather in BFE Sutor Woods to quilt. That by itself isn't very newsworthy; I imagine there are hundreds of such groups around the country. What is newsworthy and what you need to know is they gather to make a quilt for charity.
This , then is the original article, compliments of Jeff and I hope you enjoy it.
I probably should have done this some time ago but as they say, better late than never. On the last Thursday of every month it is my privilege to prepare lunch for some of the nicest women in Knox County. They come out here, as Mike says, in BFE, to quilt. These are quilts that no one can buy. Quilts that none of the ladies ever show off as theirs. Quilts that are given free of charge to a variety of groups. Those groups have included: Quilts of valor, Quilts for Kids, St. Judes Children's Hospital, Lutheran Social Services, Catholic Charities, Safe Harbor Family Crisis Center, Illinois Veteran's Hoem and other groups I don't know about or have forgotten to mention.
The group sits down and decides where the quilts go. No one is in charge. It is a group effort from beginning to end. All the fabric, batting and labor are donated. The ladies contribute money when batting is needed and between dates when the group meets, Carol works on quilting the tops that are completed. Some of the ladies also do quilting or or take bundles of fabric home to work on during the month. Last year over 150 quilts were donated to various charities. It appears that total will be surpassed this year. So every month 15 to 20 ladies come out to our house and working our basement.
On the left is Mary Edwards and on the right is Julie Carlson.
Ladies working around the bar. No drinking, just working.
In the white blouse is Janet Page. The lady with her back to you is Dee Quinn.
On the left is Karen Reynolds and on the right, Carole Knott.
One of quilts on Carol's long arm quilting machine.
This is Carol's computerized long arm quilting machine. It is a wondrous machine.
The red sewing machine is a 1956 Singer Featherweight affectionately referred to as Ruby Mae. At the time of the picture Ruby Mae was working on binding the edge of a completed quilt.
The three photos above are the ladies enjoying a lunch by "Chef Jeff". I am lucky enough to be able to prepare the main course and the ladies bring a dish to pass.
On the left is Carole Knott, center Martha West, and right is Julie Carlson.
Karen Reynolds is hard at work at the bar.
On the left is Peggy Magnuson, center Penny Smallwood, and right is Mary McNeil.
Dee Quinn is working on hand binding a quilt.
These two quilts were made by Dee Quinn. The ladies aren't just slapping things to give away. They are doing the quilts as if they were staying in their homes.
These two quilts were donated to Quilts of Valor.
This, to me, is what charity is all about. The ladies don't know the person who will receive the quilt. They never know what happens to them, how they are received, what impact they might have on the recipient. They are doing because they see a need for their fellow human beings to be comforted. For someone they have never met and likely never meet to know that they are cared for. That, contrary to what many may think, there are people out there who care. Who love with no expectation of reward.
It is my honor to have gotten to know them and for one meal a month to be able to cook for them. When you wonder what is good in America remember that unrecognized and unknown groups all around our great country do these good works every day because they care and love their fellow man.
Jeff Sutor
August 12, 2013
Bodine-DILLIGAF
Personal Note:
Charity. Imagine the happy faces these quilts create when given to a kid, or veteran or someone who is battling illness. My brother-in-law, Darryl Mitchell of Muscatine was given a quilt in his battle against cancer by a group of quilters from his church, I think. I can't tell you how happy it made him. These folks are doing the same thing, with their own resources, time and effort.
Amid all the stories of phony charities, or those which give mere pennies on the dollar to their stated cause, you might consider forwarding a donation to these ladies. It will help them continue giving a cherished heirloom to people who have fought for our freedoms, ill children and a host of other worthy recipients, and make you feel good at the same time.
I think I've found a new favorite charity, and it's right in my own back yard, sentimentally speaking.
I'm going to send a donation and hope you do, too.
Timberline Stitchers
% Carol Sutor
1022 Knox Road 1950 N
Galesburg, IL 61401
Thank you Mike. Even if no one donates any money they at least know groups like this one exist. Quietly working in the background giving the best they have to show their love to a fellow human in need. The ladies are shy about the recognition but should be commended for their efforts.
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