New and Experienced Quilters Can Help Tornado Victims

Quilters always come through when it's time to help others in need. Stitchin' Mission #25 is your opportunity to help tornado victims in Alabama and Missouri.

If you'd like to learn how to make a quilt from start to finish five beginner quiltmaking lessons begin Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m., on July 17 at Crosspoint Methodist Church in Bondurant, Iowa. (More information here.) In exchange for your lessons, the 36" X 48" quilt you make will be given to tornado victims. Quilts will be delivered to affect areas by people involved with United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCR).

If you're already a quilter, you too can help by making a quilt - preferably a larger one - that can also be donated and delivered through the UMCR. Please finish your quilt by the last Stitchin' Mission lesson on Sunday, August 7 to have it included in the delivery to either Alabama or Missouri.

As well, a request for help has been received from Gloria Parks who represents one of the quilt guilds in Joplin, Missouri. Her email reads:

I am in charge of donations for our guild of 75 quilters. As you probably know the house we store our fabric and tools in was completely destroyed. We found only two crib quilts in the debris so about 80 quilts we had already made are gone. Any material, batting, quilts, large pieces for backings, etc. will be appreciated. You couldn't ship mats and large rolls of batting, so any donation of money for these items we would love. Our quilt store, Joann's and Walmart are destroyed so we can purchase in an adjoining city. We have also set up a relief fund for victims. Anything donated can be sent to:

Gloria Parks

2921 N. Hickory

Joplin, MO 64801

Checks should be made out to Gloria Park. The other (Joplin) guild doesn't make charity quilts for the needy. We make 178 per year along with 150 pillow cases made for cancer children which I personally drove up to Kansas City to the Children's Cancer Hospital. We made dresses to send to Africa and star blocks for the Military Quilt this year. We make baby layettes, blankets and premie hats for the hospital and every Christmas all of us make Christmas stockings and put money in them for the children in a home here. We knit scarves and hats to give out in winter and some women make sleeping bags out of old batting and fabric for the homeless. We help the needy and now we are the needy.

Did you catch that last sentence? "We help the needy and now we are the needy"? We never know when such a tragedy will strike us or someone we love. Make the time, now, to help as you are able. 


When you happen on someone who's in trouble or needs help among your people with whom you live in this land that God, your God, is giving you, don't look the other way pretending you don't see him. Don't keep a tight grip on your purse. No. Look at him, open your purse, lend whatever and as much as he needs. - Deuteronomy 15:7, The Message