Members of the Wild Rows Country Quilters Guild have made sure scores of needy children receive plenty of pillow love this Christmas.
Last week on Nov. 24, 170 pillowcases were dropped off at the Christmas Bureau headquarters at the old fire hall. Bureau chair Jane Duncalfe said each registered child will receive a pillowcase.
“We have made some that are better suited for older teenagers and some that are better for the younger groups and ages as well, said guild member Pat Layden.
Her guild colleague Debbie Becker Matthie noted this is the third year her eight-member group has made the special donation to the Christmas Bureau, an idea that originally came from an American initiative to challenge the public to create a million pillowcases for the homeless.
She said her group, which was formed eight years ago by dedicated quilters, consulted Marian Moritz, a longtime bureau board member, and she enthusiastically agreed it was a great idea. Becker Matthie said 180 pillowcases were made in the first year, 80 last year, and more than double the number this Christmas. The quilts were made by Becker Matthie, Layden, Tillie Becker, Lola Hunford, Bev Wentland and Ann Matson.
“We buy the fabric, cut it, sew it, press it, fold it up and get ready to go,” said Becker Matthie, noting the guild is fortunate enough to receive fabric donations, including from Wawa's Quilts, and the Kinette Club of Innisfail.
She said the pillowcase gifts from the bureau have become a special part of Christmas for many of the children who have received them.
“Kids can either use them to fill up their belongings if they are being ripped out of their homes, or they can have a pillow in it, and that is their pillow, their very own possession,” said Becker Matthie.
“They really get a warm feeling from it from people they don't know giving them something from the kindness of their hearts to help them,” she added. “They get very excited. The kids love them.”
Donations of new unwrapped items can be dropped off at the Christmas Bureau in the old fire hall on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7 to 9 p.m., at the Dairy Queen, or during the day at the town office. If any citizen or organization would like a bureau volunteer to pick up a group donation he or she can call 403-872-8944.
If any citizen wants to help the local Christmas Bureau, or wants more information on how to register families or friends, he or she can call 403-227-4328, or email at [email protected]
Debbie Becker Matthie
"Kids can either use them to fill up their belongings if they are being ripped out of their homes, or they can have a pillow in it, and that is their pillow, their very own possession."
