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17 August 2013

Giving a Child a Hug and Some Hope

Inspired by Katie of  Swim Bike Quilt, I have chosen to support and promote the annual 100 Quilts for Kids charity quilt drive.  She has been organizing this event for the past three years which runs this year from July 1 - September 30th.  You can find all the information here.

There's really nothing to it... Give some quilt love to a child.

I chose to donate these two quilts to Optimism Place - Women's Shelter and Support Services in nearby Stratford of Perth County, Ontario.



My first thought was of babies, baby quilts, neo-natal units, sick kids hospitals... But in the end, my desire was to give these two larger-than-baby sized quilts to fill the need of someone who may not have a thing.  Those who arrive at a women's shelter are fortunate if they have a few pieces of clothing with them when they arrive - and knowing any mother - their first thoughts would be simply to get their children to a safe place.  Possessions?  Would there even be any consideration?

Our family lives in what I consider to be a remote, rural area.  And our kids have had a fairly sheltered upbringing.  Since we were also going to visit my parents, who live in Stratford, I brought my daughter with me to deliver these quilts.  And her reaction leads me to believe she will remember this day.

Upon our return to our car in the parking lot, after seeing the intense security procedures at the shelter, Erin said, "Massive lock down happening there!"  It gave me a chance to explain to her how I was grateful that there was a place, where women and their children could go, when life leads them into a bad situation.  Somewhere they can be made to feel safe.

http://swimbikequilt.com/2013/07/100-quilts-for-kids-charity-quilt-drive-starts-today.html

 In my heart, along with that thankfulness, there is a great joy to know that those quilts will bring comfort and warmth to whomever the recipients may be.

Sure glad you joined me today!  And I offer you a big quilty hug if I have inspired you to also donate a quilt!


Keep on, Quilting on!
 

17 comments:

  1. What a wonderful cause!! They are going to love your beautiful quilts!!

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  2. beautiful quilts, Lorna, and a beautiful lesson to teach.

    :) Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation

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  3. I love your quilts, they are so beautiful. I think it is wonderful that you are teaching your daughter. I have hand pieced and hand quilted over two hundred quilts and donated to charity. When i was able to work, i wish i had the foresight and sense to buy a sewing machine and build a fabric stash, but i didnt. With an income of less than four hundred dollars monthly for disability, buying fabric is not an option. Please keep up the great work. Blessings, barbara babscorbitt@gmail.com

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  4. What a lovely thing to do. And so nice that your daughter could experience giving those to the shelter with you. I used to go to Stratford every Christmas until I was 16. My great grandma and great uncles all lived there. My mom and dad got married in Stratford. Thanks for linking to TGIFF.

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  5. What a generous gesture! I am impressed that you took your daughter with. We all need our eyes open at some point....even, more then once! Thanks for sharing.

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  6. It's a beautiful thing Lorna. That is very kind of you and I'm sure they will be well loved by their recipients!

    (FYI - somehow you seem to have been lost from my feeds. I'll deleting and re-adding. If you dont see me for a while, ping me. :) )

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  7. Very generous Lorna...I am sure those quilts will bring a great deal of joy to their recipients.

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  8. I am sure they will be well loved, good job:)

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  9. Wonderful finishes and such a great cause.

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  10. That's very generous of you :) congrats!!
    Came here from Quilt Story!

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  11. I'm sure your beautiful quilts will give someone great comfort!

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  12. What a generous heart you have, Lorna! I'm sure they will both be much appreciated for their beauty and comfort.

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  13. How sweet of you Lorna and very generous! They are beautiful quilts. Thanks for sharing.
    Freemotion by the River Linky Party Tuesday

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  14. What great quilts, I really love the second one. Someone is certain to have some super sweet dreams under these

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  15. I thought I had commented on this earlier, but I guess not. What a beautiful thing to include your daughter in--I remember my mom taking me to volunteer in a battered women's shelter as a teen, and it really made a difference in how I saw the world. Anyway, beautiful quilts and thanks for linking up to 100 Quilts. I'm sharing some quilts on my blog next week, and wondered if I could share one of your pictures, linking back here, etc.

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Your kind comments certainly make my day!