The Helping Hands Quilt Group gets together once a month and donates their finished quilts to various non-profit organizations. Each quilt is truly a work of art.
The group recently donated 44 beautiful quilts to Mahaska Health Partnership to be distributed to patients in the Cancer Care and Infusion Center (CCIC), the Emergency Department, the Birthing Center and Surgical Services. The quilts are made of all sizes and tailored to patients; including longer ones to fully cover the legs of patients receiving treatment in CCIC.
“We have donated quilts to many nonprofits and like to keep our donations local,” said Linda Binns of Oskaloosa. “We meet once a month and sew all day. Four of us have long arm quilting machines so all quilts are machine quilted, machine pieced and bound. We wash them before delivery too and use Color Catchers.”
The group has nine members, as well as unofficial members who are older and with them in spirit. They meet at a house owned by Central Reformed Church in Oskaloosa. Binns explained that it is a group project, with some members sewing, some cutting and some getting the quilt tops together with batting and backings.
“We take them home to quilt, bring them back and another gal does most of our binding,” Binns explained. “We love getting together and it brings us great joy to know that our work is appreciated and, in a small way, we are able to touch so many lives. “
Helping Hands also regularly donates to the MHP Hospice Serenity House by making quilts that go on patient beds. The quilts are laundered a lot and when they get worn-out, are taken to the animal shelter. “We always donate a good supply of quilts to the Hospice Serenity House as one of our set donations,” Binns explained.
“We also regularly donate to Crisis Intervention Services. We recently made a large donation to the Ottumwa Homeless Shelter and have donated to the VA in Knoxville.”
With these ladies, it’s all about their passion for quilting and giving to those who could really benefit by a unique gift from the heart that is made with love.
Photo cutline:
Shown from left are: New Sharon resident Twila DeJong and Oskaloosa residents Donna Arendt, Jeanine Waall, Linda Binns, Linda Rozendaal and Sue Ornduff. Not shown are Sherrill Helm, Cindy Broadway, Janita Abbas and Wilma VerSteegh.
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Story provided by Cassie Riley
