Above / Quilters CARYL BROWN, CONNIE HALGRIMSON, VICKI KELLER, JACKIE DWPUIS, MARTY SCHWAB, JUDY PAYNE and MARLYS WHIDDER put together 100 lap quilts a year to give to charitable causes.
For more than 66 years, a quilting group has been stitching and chatting to put together “lap blankets” for many charitable causes. The group meets twice a month from 9AM to noon, on the first and third Thursdays, September through May, at the First Congregational Church.
Connie Halgrimmson joined the group’s leadership back when it was one of the committees in Church Women United. The quilters are now led by Marlys Whidder. The group of Naperville residents is always looking for additional members, all ages with gifts of gab, to help sew the quilts for charitable causes, including the Cancer Center at Edward, Linden Oaks, Project Linus (blankets for children), Indian reservations in South Dakota, and for to St. Thomas Church for assistance in Haiti. Quilts also are delivered by volunteers during monthly visits to Hines VA Hospital to play Bingo with Veterans receiving treatment.
Whidder sews 6″ x 7″ quilt squares together in advance of the work shops where the women sew the batting and backing together, creating quilts that are one square yard, perfect for laps. She says on average they sew 100 quilts a year in a wide range of designs and colors, suitable for all ages.
Donations of one-yard fabric squares are welcome. Most supplies, including yarn, are donated. Quilts are available to purchase for $10.
“We welcome all ages to join us,” said Whidder, noting doing something for others is a purpose that keeps them happy and looking forward. “And we always have interesting fellowship.”
For more information about the quilters, contact Vicki Keller at (630) 961-0908.
Editor’s Note / The February visit to Hines VA is set for Tues., Feb. 11. Join the group on the bus in route to visit and honor Veterans receiving treatment at Hines VA Hospital. Upon arrival, play bingo and help distribute lap blankets created by women featured in this post.
All community members (You don’t have to be a Legion or VFW member to participate.) are welcome to meet at the VFW Post located at 908 W. Jackson Avenue to ride the bus provided by the American Legion and the VFW to Hines VA Hospital with plans to bring cheer and good company.
The bus leaves promptly at 6:15PM. Simply arrive by 6PM and sign up in the canteen. Park around back. The group returns between 8:30-9PM. Again, this event is free of charge and open to the public.
