Children who attend the ECKAN Head Start program may be napping better this week because of a project undertaken by the Emporia Regional Quilters Guild.
Guild members presented 50 pint-sized hand-made blankets to Head Start on Friday. Now, they’re working to make the same number of pillows to give to the children, who are about 3 and 4 years of age.
The blanket project grew from a request made by Lisa Elliott, who’d talked with ECKAN manager Heidi Goff to find a way to provide actual blankets to the children.
Elliott contacted ERQG president Sandy Humphreys, who asked guild members on Oct. 13 whether they’d want to make blankets and donate them to Head Start. She had no trouble finding volunteers.
The quilters worked on their own and in groups at the Prairie Pieces store, and in a little more than two weeks, all 50 were ready to be given away.
“I can’t say ‘girls,’ because we do have one gentleman (member),” Humphreys said, and he helped.”
Help came, too, from an unexpected source when Ruth Fowler, a Prairie Pieces customer, brought her two young grandchildren, Kelsey Gordon and David Fowler, into the store while the guild members worked. The children saw what the guild was doing and took an immediate interest.
“They wanted to help,” Humphreys said. “I think they took three or four of them home, and they finished them. We cut them and they tied ‘em. I thought that was really heartwarming.”
The resulting quilts were welcomed enthusiastically at Head Start, both by staff and students.
“They used really cute kid fabric,” Elliott said.
The blankets were made of soft fleece or flannel, with edges cut with a rotary cutter before the tying began.
Much of the fabric was donated by members, who Humphreys said had their own fabric stashes at home.
Walmart helped supply the remainder by donating a gift card to the group, and Walgreen’s helped pay for the pillows that were purchased to go in 50 pillowcases, which guild members decided needed to be Round Two of the project.
“They have no pillows, so we’re working on that right now,” Humphreys said. “We have 15 to go. I can tell you the pillowcases go real fast.”
Before the Emporia guild decided to make the blankets, the Head Start staff had only towels and pillowcases to use as covers for the approximately 50 children who take naps at the center, located at 1120 Scott St.; another approximately 50 children also attend Head Start but are not on the nap schedule.
The young ones seemed delighted to have the cuddly blankets that were delivered by the guild on Friday.
“We handed one to a little girl, and she just immediately hugged it up to her face,” Humphreys said, “and I thought, oh, that’s worth it, right there.’”
Guild members hope to have the pillows finished by the end of the week.
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Posted by madpoet (anonymous) on November 6, 2009 at 10:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What a wonderful story! I know Ruth's grandkids and I'm not surprised they wanted to help. Maybe next project like this could include more kids. I bet SOS could use something like this. A blanket is such a comfort item to small children. God bless all who helped!
Posted by ToxicPink (anonymous) on November 6, 2009 at 10:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
That's really sweet, I can probably pick out a handful of organizations and places that could use stuff like that. I have no idea how to sew or quilt or I'd help out too.
I wonder if they had a workshop where they taught people how to quilt and in the end donated the completed projects to others who would use them if that would be a success.
Anyway, it's nice to see members of the community helping others and thinking of others. Which is how it should be.
Posted by schooler (anonymous) on November 6, 2009 at 11:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I would like to thank all the people who helped with this donation. I know the ladies at the quilt shop as my mom is one of them and they are simply wonderful, helpful, caring people. Even if you don't know how to sew or quilt, please stop in and ask questions. They have classes and projects going all the time. This is a great business to have in Emporia and hope to see other businesses try to help in this manner as well. I realize the economy is tough, and want to say a special thank you for helping ECKAN! The kids and staff will remember this for years to come!
Posted by create (anonymous) on November 6, 2009 at 12:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I sure like your idea about a workshop, Toxic Pink. In the end, you will have learned a new skill and the project would go to someone deserving of it.
The Prairie Pieces Quilt Shoppe on north Commercial has many classes and even one for beginners. Why not call the shop and ask about your idea? Talk to Sue.
While I'm at it, The Emporia Regional Quilt Guild responsible for these blankets will also be taking part in the Emporia Arts Council Christmas sale to take place on Saturday, Nov. 21 at the Arts Council Open House. A percentage of our sales will go to the Arts Council treasury.
If anyone is looking for a really unique gift or even something for yourself, these items are expertly made by experienced quilters. I love the quilted casserole covers complete with carrying straps, perfect for taking your casserole to a covered dish supper and keeping it warm or cold.
One of my quilts will be there as will be many, many items that members of the guild have sewn. It is one of our fund raisers. Our guild has many, many worthy causes.
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