The Retired Teachers of Ontario (RTOERO) District 43 have donated $1,200 to the Quilting Friends.
The Quilting Friends group has created 35 handmade quilts in the last six months.
The quilts are then donated to the North Bay Regional Health Centre to distribute to patients.
This group of dedicated crafters meets twice a month at St. Peter’s Church off Airport Road where they stitch together pieces of colourful cloth using their own material or donated fabric to create a beautiful quilt.
Companionship and friendships develop in this group along with the creation of the quilts. But it takes money to do this. The $1,200 grant will be used for liability
insurance to use the church hall, fabric (mostly flannel for the backing) and batting which is very expensive.
This selfless act is more than the cliché, “Love in every stitch.” It is a multi-faceted gift. It’s a gift to this group of quilters who get to enjoy one another’s company while developing their sewing and design skills.
The beautiful quilts are a gift of comfort to a patient in the hospital. Finally, the RTOERO group benefits because they are supporting their focus on preventing senior isolation through community involvement. A win/win for all involved.
With files from Joan Hambley, Derek Stott and Liz Brownlee
