In 2023, the Comfort Quilt program distributed 328 quilts throughout the community. These quilts went to individuals identified by the community to need some comfort, either due to a difficult life situation such as a fire or natural disaster, an ongoing or challenging health issue, an accident, or traumatic event.
A huge thank-you to all members of the guild who helped the Comfort Quilt program, from those who sorted material and pulled together kits for use by members, those who made quilt tops (Flimsies) – either at home or on sew days, helped with layering, quilting, binding, and distribution of quilts. We couldn’t have done it without your help.
As well, a big thank you to those who provided financial support to the Comfort Quilt program this year: Chatham-Kent Quilters’ Guild, Stitches in Bloom Quilt Show, Community Partnership Grant from the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, donations from Chatham La Sertoma and Shrewsbury Baptist Church, and from members and non-members of the guild who either received a quilt or knew someone who received one.
The Comfort Quilt Committee hosted several sew days this year, encouraging members to make a flimsy or unquilted top for comfort. The Chair of the Quilt Show issued a Flimsy Challenge and two sew days were set aside for this initiative; these tops were displayed at the show. Also, in the fall the committee hosted a Jelly Roll race, and several jelly roll tops were completed at this time. Great fun was had by all who attended these days. Stay tuned for the orphan block challenge in 2024.
The Comfort Quilt program participated in the Stitches in Bloom Quilt Show held in June. A beautiful array of finished quilts and flimsies were displayed in the sanctuary of the church; it was a breath-taking site.
Again, thank you to everyone for your generous support; it is greatly appreciated, and we look forward to 2024 – let’s make this another banner year for the Comfort Quilt program.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the Comfort Quilt Committee