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Little did one
small group of quilters realize that the positive impact of a new
project would change thousands and thousands of lives. What began as
an idea I had, born in the middle of a sleepless night, grew into one
of the most worthwhile projects that I have ever had the honor of
participating in.
The vast majority of
people’s lives have been touched by a tragic event, whether it be the
loss of a loved one, a long (and most times, scary) journey with a
loved one suffering from a terminal illness, or an event that was
devastating to those directly involved, such as losing a home in a
fire, etc.
We see such sad news on televised shows every day and night, but
after the broadcast quits airing, most of us quickly dismiss it in our
minds.
What if it were you or a loved one you know experiencing tragedy?
As anyone that has lived through it knows, emotions run high and this
article is not intended to address all of them. Feelings of
loneliness, helplessness, and despair are but three and each are
frightening and stressful. Hope may seem to be so far away that it
appears unobtainable. We know that we cannot miraculously make
everything “OK”, but, as quilters, what can we do? Anything? The
answer for that is a resounding, “ABSOLUTELY”!
The
Round Robin Charity Drive (RRCD) Project
was announced on the
Quilting Passion Forum in 2002 and
the response was so immediate that it took off like a rocket! The
RRCD Process is
simple and has evolved, even perfected, if you would, over time.
Grab a cup of coffee as you enjoy the interview below with the
Coordinator, Peggy (Idaho) and her assistant, Sheryl (Missouri) of
this very special and unique project, but first, a glimpse into these
wonderful women’s lives!
Peggy lives in Idaho and has been quilting since 1999. She has
made about 25 bed-size quilts, has four (4) children of her own, and
enjoys crocheting, quilting, reading, reality TV, and soapnet! She
works outside the home and has met several people through the forum
that she has corresponded with on a regular basis. She also visits
with several forum members on the telephone, including me!
Sheryl lives in Missouri, has been quilting since 1985, and has
made about 200 quilts, including 98 for Project Linus. She has two (2)
grown children and recently retired from a secretarial position. Since
then, she has been volunteering at a large hospital in her area. She
also loves to read and crochet and has been making crocheted newborn
caps for the hospital nursery.
Terry: When did the project
begin and how many quilts have been donated since then?
Peggy: The QP Charity Project began March 5, 2002 and
together, we have donated 1,387 quilts… of course, this figure will
change before this gets published!
NOTE: At the time of publication, the number had
increased to 1,405, with 141 of those being donated thus far in 2007.
Terry: How does the project
operate?
Peggy: A forum member will donate a medallion (center
of the quilt) and ask for volunteers to donate more blocks, borders,
backing, batting, binding, and a label. We have a couple of ladies on
the forum that make and donate finished quilts on their own, too.
Terry: How long is the
waiting list?
Peggy: The waiting list is usually 25 groups, give or
take a few.
Terry: How many quilts do
waiting list recipients receive?
Peggy: We like for each group to get three (3)
quilts… of course, we always end up giving them more! It’s hard to
just give three because they are so grateful to receive them.
Terry: How long does it
usually take for names to come to the top of the waiting list?
Peggy: We can easily exhaust a list in 4-6 months,
usually. And, I don’t always start at the top and work down. I like
for the donated quilt(s) to go to the area of the person that mails
it, if possible. It helps keep the cost of postage down for them.
Terry: What sort of
“specialty” charity projects have the volunteer group participated in?
Peggy: We are currently donating quilts for a cancer
drive in Idaho and we have participated for the past three (3) years
in
Quilt Pink.
NOTE:
Quilting Passion Forum donated seven (7) quilts to
Quilt Pink 2006 and helped with two (2) other quilts that were started locally in
Mayes County, Oklahoma, making a total of nine (9) quilts donated for 2006.
Terry: What is your role, as
Coordinator?
Peggy: My role is to monitor the progress of the
quilts on the forum, maintain the mailing list of volunteers and the
donation list. I troubleshoot problems that rarely occur and I also go
through, every 3-6 weeks, and ask how everyone is doing and do they
need help getting their part of the quilt finished. Real life happens
to all of us and sometimes a volunteer needs to pass it on before she
can do her part of the quilt.
Terry: What is the
Assistant’s role?
Sheryl: I keep records of the progress of the Round
Robin quilts, using an Excel spreadsheet. I monitor the forum every
day to make sure that I know where every quilt in progress is. If
quilts are not moving at a reasonable pace, I assist Peggy in
inquiring about the progress of a quilt and offering assistance, if
necessary.
When a quilt is mailed, I also keep a record of its completion,
its name, and its destination.
Another thing I have been doing is writing
Project
Linus Headquarters in Bloomington,
IL, when our donation list is getting short. They have been kind
enough to include information about our project in their newsletter to
their coordinators, who in turn contact us to request donations.
Terry: How many active
volunteers are there currently?
Peggy: There are currently 48 members on the
volunteer list.
Terry: What type of
time-frame do we like to use to turn a quilt around?
Peggy: We like to see a turn-around in about two (2)
months time.
Terry: Who is eligible to
receive these quilts?
Peggy: Sheryl will send a letter to Project Linus
Headquarters and ask the different chapters if they want to receive
quilts. They then
e-mail us with their address.
NOTE: Any non-profit organization that can
substantiate their existence and cause can request to be placed on the
waiting list. Project Linus is the largest organization on our list,
but we have also served other organizations in the past.
Terry: Are all of these
quilts made by hand/machine? In other words, are quilts ever purchased
to give away?
Sheryl: I have never heard of anyone buying one to
contribute. One of the basic conditions of Project Linus is that the
blankets be hand-made.
Terry: Do people outside of
your list of volunteers donate batting, fabric, etc.? If so, and
someone would like to donate, how can they contact you?
Peggy: We are always looking for volunteers and
donations from anyone and everyone! However, the majority of our
donations come from our own forum members. Inquiries about donating
can be made via
e-mail.
Sheryl: I have received donations from a local civic
group and a retiring fabric salesman, but I think most people have
donated from their own funds entirely.
Terry: Are there any
recipients with such touching stories that you would like to share?
Sheryl: I remember a family that lost their house in
a fire. We sent quilts for all seven (7) children and both parents.
I also sent a western quilt to Montana that was given to a
teenage boy who was paralyzed in an accident. His grandfather spent
time talking with him, making up stories about the cowboys in the
printed fabric. When his grandpa died, the boy couldn’t go to his
funeral, but insisted that the quilt be draped over his grandpa’s
casket. Also, coincidentally, the design I quilted into the borders
matched their ranch’s brand!
I also donated a flip flop quilt locally that was chosen by a
mother while her teenage daughter was in a coma. The mother wrapped
herself in it while she waited for her daughter to wake up… and she
did!
Terry: Another quilt was donated to a 16 year-old boy
in Oklahoma City that had a heart transplant. His grandmother said he
clung onto that quilt for the year that he lived after receiving it.
The young man requested that he be buried with his quilt and he was.
One of our volunteers lived in the area and the Daily Oklahoman
did a feature article on it and took pictures. It was very sad for us
when the young man passed away.
I hope it has become apparent to all of
you who read how important this project is to the Quilting Passion
Forum. There are many on the forum that support the project, but do
not volunteer to work in it, due to time constraints, finances, etc..
I also hope that this article inspires you to make a quilt, no matter
how large or small, and donate it to a charitable cause. The
satisfaction you will get cannot be described with words; only through
experience!
Please feel free to
leave
comments regarding this article
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Quilting By Design. |
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18 Apr 2007 05:46 PM