This project was born from the outpouring of generosity of guild members to Pat Varner’s request to make quilts for the patients at the Denver Area Hospice in memory of her sister, Beverly, who lost her battle with liver disease in January 2005. Beverly was an avid quilter and worked on her designs and quilts up to the day she entered hospice. She was a friend to many in the guild and was also a member of the Nebraska State Quilters Guild. 

This project touched off many memories from members who had similar experiences such as Pat with hospice. They approached her to research Omaha’s Hospice House, The Josie Harper Residence, to see if they would accept quilts for their patients. A meeting was held with the officials of Hospice House and it was agreed upon for a three-fold ongoing project of: (1) quilts for the 26 beds, (2) two raffle quilts for their annual Massage-A-Thon fund raiser in July, and (3) some type of quilted art for the great/family room. The officials were thrilled with these future prospects.

As mentioned, there are 26 beds, measuring 76 inches wide x 96 inches long. This will allow the quilt to hang over the bed and adequately cover the patients. The quilts are to be machine quilted and made of cotton fabric to be easily laundered and cared for.

To show the public the guild’s many charitable efforts, these quilts will be displayed and formally presented to Hospice House during this year’s quilt show, June 2-4, 2006. There has been some donated fabric and it is available at the monthly guild meetings at the Charitable Table. 

Also, we have been offered by the Hospice House to use their meeting rooms for sew-ins free of charge. This would be an ideal time to work on these quilts.   See the information on the first sew-in.

We have two long-arm quilters who have volunteered their time to quilt tops for this project, Cindy Sortman and LaVonne Dunetts. If you just want to piece tops, contact these gals and they are ready to quilt for you.

This is such a worthy project that it is hoped that many of you will participate. There are not enough words to explain the power of a quilt in a situation such as this. It can be a life-altering moment as many of you have experienced. If you any questions and/or interested in making a quilt, helping with the raffle quilts, have an idea for quilted art, or volunteer your quilting abilities, please contact Pat Varner.

 Gary George of the Hospice House has sent us a nice note on our support of the recent Massage-a-thon.  Read it here.