Interfaith Quilting Bee Brings Hope for Nine Years - Kingwood

By: Eva Armendariz

Published: Jul 01, 2009, 9:00am

Rachael Wharton, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, heads the quilting effort for her local congregation in Humble. The Interfaith Quilting Bee volunteers include members of local churches to local quilt guild members.

This summer marks the ninth year of the annual Interfaith Quilting Bee. On July 18, members of local congregations and quilting organizations will work side-by-side to finish and donate quilts to needy North Houston families.

“We [quilters] love the camaraderie, making new friends and the accomplishment and sense of satisfaction of sharing with this great organization,” said Ingrid Delong, a member of Bearly Quilters. “We feel blessed and are also grateful for the opportunity to share with those less fortunate.”

Hosted by the Relief Society Organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the quilting bee has produced almost 3,000 quilts over the last nine years. These handmade blankets are donated to charitable organizations, such as Birthright, Family Time Foundation and Humble Area Assistance Ministries (HAAM).

“We give the quilts to the clients who graduate from our Family to Family mentoring program,” said Diana Garbis, Executive Director of HAAM. “The program is about connecting disconnected families to someone who cares about their well being. The quilts fit in as another symbol of a caring community through those who take the time to quilt, give of their time and give the quilt as an act of love.”

Working year-round, the quilting volunteers vary in skill level from members of quilt guilds, such as the Kingwood Quilt Guild, the Crosby Quilt Guild and Bearly Quilters, to members of local church congregations and businesses who want to make a charitable difference one stitch at a time.

Heading the quilting effort in her local congregation, Rachael Wharton, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, participated for the first time in last year’s quilting bee.

“I was surprised at what a big deal it was and how many people took part,” she said. “It is encouraging to see all those women from the community working and serving together.”

A self-proclaimed quilting novice, Rachael said she attended with little quilting knowledge, yet she said she learned so much in just one afternoon.

Congregations, organizations, businesses and individuals may participate by bringing a quilt ready to tie, providing finished quilts to donate, volunteering at the event or donating quilting supplies, such as yarn, fabric and batting.

The Interfaith Quilting Bee starts at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 18 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints building, 4021 Deerbrook Drive in Kingwood.

For more information, contact Leslie Goodman at (281) 852-8760 or e-mail slgoodman1@gmail.com.

« Back to Kingwood News & Highlights