Charity

I probably should have done this some time ago but as they say, better late than never. On the last Thursday of every month it is my privilege to prepare lunch for some of the nicest women in Knox County, oh hell, Illinois, well honestly maybe in the United States. They come out here, as Mike says, in BFE, to quilt. These are quilts that no one can buy. Quilts that none of the ladies ever show off as theirs. Quilts that are given free of charge to a variety of groups. Those groups have included: Quilts of Valor, Quilts for Kids, St. Judes Childrens Hospital, Lutheran Social Services, Catholic Charities, Safe Harbour Family Crisis Center, Illinois Veteran's Home and other groups I don't know about or have forgotten to mention. The group sits down and decides where the quilts go. No one is in charge. It is a group effort from beginning to end. All the fabric, batting and labor are donated. The ladies contribute money when batting is needed and between dates when the group meets Carol works on quilting the tops that are completed. Some of the ladies also do quilting or take bundles of fabric home to work on during the month. Last year over 150 quilts were donated to various charities. It appears that total will be surpassed this year. So every month 15 to 20 ladies come out to our house and work in our basement.

 On the left Mary Edwards on the right Julie Carlson

 Ladies working around the bar. No drinking just working.

 In the white blouse Janet Page. The lady with her back to you is Dee Quinn

 On the left Karen Reynolds and on the right Carole Knott.

 One of the quilts on Carol's long arm quilting machine.

 This is Carol's computerized long arm quilting machine. It is a wonderous machine.

 The red sewing machine is a 1956 Singer Featherweight affectionately referred to as Ruby Mae. At the time of the picture Ruby Mae was working on binding the edge of a completed quilt.

 The three photos above are the ladies enjoying a lunch cooked by "Chef Jeff". I am lucky enough to be able to prepare the main course and the ladies bring a dish to pass.

 On the left Carole Knott, center Martha West and right is Julie Carlson.

 Karen Reynolds is hard at work at the bar.

 On the left Peggy Magneson, center Penny Smallwood and right is Mary McNeil.

 Dee Quinn is working on hand binding a quilt.

 These two quilts were made by Dee Quinn. The ladies aren't just slapping things together to give away. They are doing the quilts as if they were staying in their home.

These two quilts were donated to Quilts of Valor.

 

This, to me, is what charity is all about. The ladies don't know the person who will receive the quilt. They never know what happens to them, how they are received, what impact they might have on the recipient. They are doing because they see a need for their fellow human beings to be comforted. For someone they have never met and likely will never meet to know that they are cared for and about. That contrary to what many may think there are people out there who care. Who love with no expectation of reward. It is my honor to have gotten to know them and for one meal a month to be able to cook for them. When you wonder what is good in America remember that unrecognized and unknown groups all around our great country do these good works every day because they care and love their fellow man.