Sew Together for Central United sewing for the community
By Brandy Ford
There are times
when people may feel alone or need assurance that they can make it through a
dark moment of their lives.
While a warm hug may not always be available, the
quilters of Sew Together for Central United are working to make sure a
comforting quilt is.
The group of about
20 quilters meets weekly at the Welland church to work on charitable and personal
projects.
In December its members raffled off three quilts to raise funds to help with
the costs involved in running the group, and also donated three quilts to
Victim Services Niagara.
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| Joni Pitzel and Pat Foy of Sew Together for Central United present Pearl Robinson, of Victim Services, with a quilt to be given to a person in need. Foy’s service dog, Axel looks on |
Joni Pitzel, group
co-ordinator and founder, says the club was originally formed as a way to share
skills with others.
“The group was
started three years ago as way to share knowledge with people and was open to
anyone in the community who wanted to learn. We have all levels of quilting
experience within the group. If you don’t know, we’ll teach you.”
She says there are
three main goals of the group: learning, sharing skills and the fellowship and
social aspect.
Pitzel says the
group began to focus more on charitable work and now supplies quilts for
several local charities including Wish House, Victim Services Niagara and Quilts of
Valour.
At Wish House there
are six residents at any given time recovering from substance abuse. Each
person receives a quilt from Sew Together, anonymously, upon arrival to keep.
“We make quilts and
each woman receives one and gets to take it with her when she leaves. Sometimes
life just sucks and if we can cheer someone up with a quilt and let them know
that someone out there cares when they are having a dark day and need comfort
then that is our goal. We can not always be there to give them a hug, but we can
give a quilt,” says Pitzel.
Sew Together began
donating quilts to Victim Services Niagara this year, which will be provided to
victims of sexual assault. Pitzel says during a traumatic experience a quilt
can provide comfort.
The group also
creates Quilts of Valour.
“These are quilts
made for injured soldiers, past and present, and for veterans. We are very
passionate about the Quilts of Valour, and these are created based on need.”
Pitzel says
quilters have a special compassion for others which is shown through their
work.
“Quilters are an
interesting group. We think everyone in the world needs a quilt. When you see
someone hurting, you can not always be there to give a hug, but we can provide a
quilt.”
Sew Together for
Central United meets each Tuesday at the church (12 Young Street in Welland)
between 10:30 and 3:30. New members are always welcome and there is no fee to
join. Call 905-735-2333 for more information. Donations of fabric, batting, and
gently used flannel sheets are gratefully accepted.
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| Sew Together for Central United held a raffle in December to raise funds to manage the group. Three quilts were raffled off. Winners were: 1st place "Christmas Memories" was given to Yvonne Walsh of Red Deer, Alberta. 2nd place "Children's Dinosaur" was given to Cathy Kruger of Welland (shown in photo) 3rd place "Christmas table runner" was given to Nancy Bellefontaine of Welland |
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