Quilting From the Heart is the latest recipient of a donation from Westlock’s 100 Women Who Care.
Including the $8,900 given to Quilting From the Heart Nov. 21, $84,900 has been handed out to a variety of community groups since 100 Women’s first donation to the Westlock Food Bank in November 2016.
Aurelia Spronk, who represented Quilting From the Heart, began her presentation by asking the women if they have felt overwhelmed by the circumstances of their lives.
“Where you really needed an extra hug to get through the day? Well, that’s exactly what we do. Sometimes people who struggle do not need to be told what to change in their lives, or given an answer to their problems. They just need an extra hug to know that someone cares. Or, a quilt to cry into,” she said.
She noted they’re a non-profit group who have chosen to stay unregistered. All are volunteers and donate all of their time and much of the equipment and materials.
Since March 2008 they have given out 1,500 quilts, with as many as 15 women working on each. In 2017 they gave away 200 quilts — 107 of those in the Westlock area.
To help locate those in need, Quilting From the Heart partners with groups like FCSS, Healthy Families Healthy Futures, foster care, Mental Health and seniors facilities.
“We see to it that the quilts are delivered to the organization, and they in turn, deliver them to the recipients,” she noted.
“The needs are many and in our own small way, we are reaching out to our neighbours. We feel we have impacted our community positively.”
While much of the material is donated, their largest expense is batting and this was the main reason they were seeking funds.
Two other organizations also gave presentations.
Tim Gurnett and his daughter Danielle presented on behalf of Bethel Bible Camp, seeking funding to help with renovations to the kitchen/dining hall facilities at the camp west of Westlock.
They noted the camp has been operating for 75 years, and open to all faiths or those of no faith, and the camps are provided free of charge.
The other group seeking funding was the Pregnancy Care Centre in Barrhead.
Centre director Kim Webster, who made the appeal for funding, said they offer non-judgmental support and education to individuals impacted by unplanned pregnancy.
Opened in April 2018, the centre, which also serves Westlock, is a registered non-profit charity, is a satellite centre of the Edmonton Pregnancy Care Centre that has been serving clients there for 35 years.
Past donations
September recipients, Toni Siegle and Wendy Batog of the Tawatinaw Ski Valley Club, were also at the meeting and told the group what they have done with the $10,400 they received.
Siegle said they had purchased 200 helmets in three different sizes, which cost $8,000.
The balance of the money, they said, had gone to purchase gently-used snow boarding equipment from Snow Valley.
She added Snow Valley and other ski clubs have been very generous in sharing their knowledge, and have been very helpful as they work in keeping the ski hill open.
Next meeting
The next meeting of 100 Women Who Care is set for March 20, 2019, at 7 p.m. at the Ramada Inn. Any woman who would like to join can contact:
• Deneen Ducharme - 780-349-0302, e-mail [email protected]
• Kathy Hall - 780-307-1197, e-mail earthangel [email protected]
• Tammy Round - 780-307-1235, e-mail [email protected]
