WEST PASCO QUILTERS

WEST PASCO QUILTERS' GUILD, INC.

2009 - CHARITY QUILT

"SEW MANY MEMORIES"
100 % of the proceeds will benefit
"The Salvation Army Domestic Violence Shelter"

One or two members are chosen, yearly, to coordinate this project and they enlist the help of many of our guild members. This is a two year commitment, as it takes one year to complete the quilt and another year to sell the 5,000 (plus) chances.

This beautiful Crazy Quilt was coordinated by Joyce Griffith and was created by many hands of the WPQG membership. You must see it in person to experience it's wonder and beauty.

“Sew Many Memories”

2009 WPQG Charity Quilt

Each year, the members of the WPQG produce a bed sized quilt and sell opportunity tickets to the public, to raise money for a local charity. This year we are supporting the Salvation Army Domestic Violence Program which is an empowerment based program that encourages the individuals to explore options and choices in an effort to gain independence from abuse. The center provides cost-free comprehensive services to survivors of abuse and domestic violence. It also educates others about domestic violence in order to promote prevention. The program includes a safe residential facility, and a crisis hotline, available at all times, to all people.

In 2007, the program provided:
1.      A total of 8,908 women have received information, referrals, shelter or outreach during the last year.
2.      There have been 1,975 hotline calls.
3.      There were 8,235 days of shelter (persons x days each).

There are many opportunities to view the quilt and purchase tickets, when the quilt is displayed around community, at different events. It is always displayed at Guild meetings as well as other days and times which will be posted on this website.

Why did we select this particular charity? When Joyce investigated the shelter and its work, she told us that “if you want to go to the shelter, you need to know how to get there. When I asked for an address, I was told that they could only give out a post office box mailing address. That was the beginning of my understanding of the situation of these women. The shelter has to be safe, therefore, the staff won’t tell you where they are located unless they are sure you are who you say you are. When I reached Lynn Needs, shelter director, I was given driving directions so that I could pick up materials for our Charity Wall at the 2008 Quilt show. She told me this story:

“Amy”- (not her real name) a young girl, 13 years old, bad temper and what an attitude! It was last Christmas and the shelter had a supply of gifts for the mothers and the children in a shed out back. The mothers select gifts for their children and then the staff helps the children to select gifts for their mothers. Amy came to the director after she had opened her gift. She had a quilt in her arms and tears in her eyes. She asked, “Do you know what my mother got for me? She got me this quilt and it’s the most wonderful gift I’ve ever had! Isn’t it beautiful?” They chatted and examined her treasure and suddenly Amy asked, “Who picks out the gifts for the mothers that don’t have children here?” “Well, I do and the staff helps me, Amy.” Amy asked, “Could I help you? Please? I would love to do that!” Amy did a 180° that day. Have you guessed where the quilt came from? It had a label that read, “This quilt was created with love by joyful hands & happy hearts and belongs to Amy. From the West Pasco Quilters’ Guild”

This is a charity that has proved its trustworthiness over and over. They deserve our support.

The 2010 Charity Quilt is currently being designed by David Strom and his committee is scheduled unveil the completed quilt top at the
December 2009 WPQG Christmas Gathering.