After being the recipient of a large donated fabric stash, I wanted to make sure the community was able to give back. I have been a member Kiwanis International since 1988 (the first year they allowed women members). For those of you who don’t know, Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time and I am currently a member of the Berkeley Chapter.

I approached the Berkeley Kiwanis community service committee and chair, Bettye Lowman and  told them I had been given enough fabric to make over 220 of quilts. I asked who would best be served in our community to receive these quilts and what community service projects we could begin. Needless to say, they thought it was a very exciting idea. The Kiwanis Board agreed and approved this as an official project.

Senior Center

Bettye went right to work and identified a local senior citizen residence facility of 55 seniors over 65 years old. The staff was very excited, and the residence will soon find out about our special gift. Our goal is to make 60 quilts for the 55 residence, to make sure everyone has a variety to select from. Volunteers will be key in making the quilts.

Children of Berkeley

Kiwanis serves the children of Berkeley and we’re making between 50-60 children’s quilts to The Vera M. Casey House for babies with young teenage moms attending Berkeley High School.

I am so excited about getting the community involved in this project. The ladies at the Madonna House share in my enthusiasm and every week they have quilting kits assembled, and projects ready to go out the door. They’ve spent over a year making quilts for their families and friends and developing sewing skills farther than they imagined, and now they’re cranking out amazing projects. It is very exciting to see people who some might consider the recipients of an outreach quilt, graciously creating for others.