ATHABASCA – Quilting for Humanity in Athabasca is celebrating 15 years and held a dinner for members, supporters and interested community members Dec. 3 in the basement of the Athabasca Legion.
Members make upwards of 400 quilts a year varying in size from lap to double depending on the need being met putting the group of 25 to 35 members at around 6,000 quilts since the group started. The quilts are sent to numerous groups to be handed out including Children and Victim Services, Little Warriors, women’s and homeless shelters, Santas Anonymous and the Stollery Children’s Hospital.
“The group meets four days a month from October to May, and sometimes June if there has been a disaster such as a major fire like Slave Lake and Fort McMurray,” explained Quilting for Humanity secretary Janice Green. “Members are invited to come and go anytime during the week; some attending for a few hours, some for a full day, some for all four full days.”
Quilting for Humanity wants to ensure every person in need has something special that was created just for them, to comfort them in their time of need.
“Some people have asked ‘Why wouldn't you just buy multiple cheap blankets from a big box store to give away, for the same money?’” Green stated. “On the surface, the answer is that our members want to provide not just a blanket, but a comforting experience: that in the act of wrapping the quilt around one's self or someone else it provides an emotional hug when a person needs it most during their time of trauma or need.”
When someone receives a quilt, it is an individual creation both unique in pattern and design, that has been lovingly created by one or more members. Some of the quilts are made as a single project by one quilter, while others are created by many people's contributions during the various stages of construction.
Those stages of construction make it easy for even a beginner to take part. There is always room for more people to cut strips or squares, iron, arrange the pieces, or tie the quilts before moving on to sewing. The group is looking for new members, including men, to help at all stages of production.
"There is so much more taking place during a quilting session than just the creation of those quilts; conversations and stories, laughter and tears, advice and support are shared, along with a mutual feeling of usefulness and self-worth,” Green added. “The quilters share their life experiences across the large age range of the group; people are accepted for their willingness to contribute regardless of their skill level. The group provides a supportive environment for individuals of any age to learn to sew, or to learn any of the other technical skills involved in quilting.”
The average monthly production is 40 quilts, but that varies depending on the season, also some members choose to sew at home and bring tops in for others to continue working on until the quilt is completed.
The annual operating budget for the non-profit is just under $20,000 a year to cover rent, insurance, equipment repair, and consumable materials used to produce the quilts with the funds coming from raffles, community and business donations and the occasional grant.
"“It takes approximately two rolls of batting per month at a cost of approximately $250 and the balance of supplies add up to around $750 for cotton for tops and flannel for backing,” said Green. “The quilts are expensive to produce — close to $45 apiece in materials alone, not counting volunteer labour.”
The costs are offset with the help of Buttons Up in Athabasca who lets the group buy at a discount, and through donations from David Sale, Colinton Seniors Citizens Society, South Athabasca Hall Association, Athabasca and District Senior Citizens Society, Whispering Hills Country Music Association, UFA, the Lions Club and more.
The local Hutterite Colony generously provided the turkeys for the dinner and the Lions and the Church of the Latter-day Saints along with husbands and brothers provide help by doing the heavy lifting involved in setting up and taking down the monthly workshops.
“So, today was about saying thanks to our supporters and celebrating our 15th year, as well as providing a wonderful seasonal meal for our members,” Green said. “We are truly blessed to live in a community that values and cares about everyone in it.”
