Schuylkill County Quilters Guild makes a difference with charity projects
May 16—Quilting is the art of weaving together intricate parts to form a pattern of beauty.
For Sue Paul and the members of Schuylkill County Quilters Guild, the weaving isn't limited to fabric and thread — the artwork they stitch inspires a growing mosaic of goodwill among the people involved.
Every year, in honor of national Make A Difference Day, the nonprofit guild carries out a quilting project and distributes the handmade goods among people in need.
As Air Force chaplain Joshua Rumsey faced years of deployment abroad in the Middle East, the warmth of a handmade quilt was exactly what he needed.
In 2009, Rumsey was gifted a quilt, woven by guild member Helen Wedde — a patriotic patchwork of red, white and blue shapes.
The quilt was one of 76 crafted as that year's Make A Difference Day project. They were taken to Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland and distributed to Air Force personnel through the Red Cross.
For Rumsey, the quilt served as a powerful reminder of home — so powerful that it became a treasured possession.
"My mom and grandmothers quilted often when I was growing up, and I recognized the many hours of work held in this blanket," Rumsey said.
He recently sent the guild a letter thanking them for a gift that never stopped giving.
Rumsey said the quilt was a mainstay in his deployment bag, traveling with him to 12 countries and dozens of states.
"It (the quilt) is far better than the standard issued blankets and reminds of the comforts of home, even in austere places," Rumsey said.
Like the patterns on a quilt spread across the fabric, so too did the guild's gift spread enthusiasm for quilting — Rumsey said he and his three daughters have taken up the hobby together.
"I plan to start (a quilt) from the T-shirts I have collected at different places on my travels," Rumsey said.
Paul said she kept Rumsey's letter a surprise so she could share it with everyone at a guild meeting.
"There were girls that had tears in their eyes. They were so touched," Paul said of the reaction to the letter. "The girl who made the quilt, Helen, was there. She was speechless."
Paul noted that the guild's goal is to take meaningful action.
"You hope that you're going to hear from people, but that's not why you do it," Paul said. "You do it because it means something to somebody else."
She noted that the guild's project in 2009 didn't end with quilts — members also made Christmas stockings for local military kids and sent care packages.
"It (the project) became a snowball rolling downhill," Paul said with a laugh, "It was probably my favorite (project)."
Paul noted that Make A Difference Day projects don't always just involve the guild. In 2009, quilts were collected from students from local schools and a quilt shop.
Other guild projects over the years have included weaving placemats for Meals on Wheels recipients, making teddy bears and doll blankets for Toys for Tots, and a quilt giveaway to guild members' personal heroes.
Guild projects require an effort that reflects members' dedication — each quilt can take weeks or even months to make, Paul said, and costs anywhere from $100 to $200.
The guild is entirely self-funded, Paul said.
She said the work, and the expenses, are more than worth it.
"It's such an age-old tradition — something our families have made for years and years," Paul said. "I have (quilt) blocks that my great grandmother made. We appreciate that, and we're taking that craft and making it in our own way. We're there because we love it."
