Dozens of women walked into the La Plata County Fairgrounds meeting room Thursday carrying armloads of one-of-a-kind works of art.
These women happily piled the artworks onto a table and walked away – donating everything to charity.
A table piled high with quilts represented countless hours of toil, and the members of the La Plata County Quilters Guild would gladly do it again and again.
“We do this every month,” one member said.
“This fabric was just sitting there. And I figured if I can put this together and make someone happy, it was all worth it,” said La Plata County Quilters Guild member Kathy Chamberlain as she held up a pink and green quilt designed for someone in a wheelchair.
Guild member Carol Bentley said she enjoys taking fabric and making beautiful creations. She held up a purple lap quilt and showed it off before piling it with the other donated quilts.
“Your heart feels good when you give it away,” she said.
On Thursday, the La Plata County Quilters Guild was honored with a Community Service Award given by the National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution.
Over the last three years, the guild has made and given away 331 quilts, 231 dog beds and 3,000 face masks. The guild has also made disposable gowns and 196 mug rugs (quilted coffee cup coasters) for a nursing home.
“This has not stopped as we have turned to 2021,” said Patricia Joy, guild member and member of DAR. “There are eight veteran’s lap quilts on my table ready to be presented and more being made.”
The Community Service Award from the DAR is a national award and goes to individuals or groups that make a difference in their communities.
“This is a special award,” Joy said. “This represents hours and hours we have given to other people.”
How to attend
What: BiAnnual Quilt Show “Quilts are Fun in 2021”
Where: La Plata County Fairgrounds Exhibit Hall, 2500 N. Main Ave.
When: June 26 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
June 27 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Admission is $4 a person, children under 12 years old admitted for free
The guild donates quilts to nursing homes, foster children, women’s safe houses, hospice care, children in need through Project Linus, Head Start, Blue/Gold Star families, families that have lost their homes in fires and dog beds for animal shelters.
Joy said the 44 members of the club kicked quilt-making into high gear during the pandemic.
“We were all stuck at home, so we went crazy making quilts. We feel in our way, we can help others,” Joy said.
Guild President Noel Tambre said she is proud of the member’s work.
“Each piece is a work of art,” she said.
After DAR presented the award to club members, a thank you card was read aloud during the guild’s monthly meeting. It was from a family whose mother received a quilt while in hospice. The family detailed how joyful their mother was when she was able to pick out a quilt for her hospice bed.
“Your work is a labor of love and it brings joy to people during difficult times,” the card read.
The award reflected that joy.
“This is quite an honor for all of you,” Joy told members.
