Cade and his skateboard quilt. Photo courtesy of Quilts for Kids.
When I was little, I was inseparable from a worn-out blue, pink and yellow baby blanket I dubbed my “special blankie.” This blanket with its blurry teddy bear and balloon design was soft and cozy and my special source of security. Many other kids find the same comfort through blankets whether they are battling scary monsters under the bed, or like the recipients of Quilts for Kids, serious sicknesses. Quilts for Kids is a non-profit organization based out of Yarly, PA that uses donated and discarded fabric from landfills to make quilts for children with life-threatening diseases or are victims of abuse.
Photo courtesy of Quilts for Kids.
Each quilt recipient has a very unique story, but in every story, feelings like gratitude, compassion, and optimism are a common thread. Four-year old Audrey, who has airway complications, received a pink ballerina quilt; Cade, who has leukemia, got a skateboard quilt; and Lauren received a quilt of fireflies and ladybugs. All three children are finding enjoyment and comfort in these heartfelt donations from quilters.
Quilts for Kids was founded in August 2000 by Linda Arye when she discovered that discounted fabric samples were wasted every year when they were dumped in landfills. Remembering a time when her own daughter wanted the comfort of her teddy bear but could not have it in the hospital, Ayre was inspired to use the discarded fabric to make hospital approved patchwork quilts to provide the same security.
Photo courtesy of Quilts for Kids.
With the work of many volunteers, Quilts for Kids has grown into an extensive organization that provides quilts for children throughout North America, the Caribbean and globally as far as South Africa. Now, Quilts for Kids receives fabric donations from over 140 organizations and has local chapters all over the United States. Recently, Quilts for Kids made 25 quilts to send to Haiti’s “The Bridge of Children Orphanage.”
Want to get involved? You provide the batting and talent to make a patchwork, machine made quilt, and Quilts for Kids provides the fabric. No matter if you are a preteen or adult, Quilts for Kids welcomes any volunteers. I find this organization truly inspiring and so worthy of volunteer involvement. Click here to find out how you can help.
Related posts:
One Comment
Oh I want to do that. It is beautiful.