Giving Back to the Community
Our guild members believe in giving back to the community in which we live. We support several local organizations with donations of quilts.
Project Warmth - Warming our Community with Quilts
Project Warmth, an entity within the guild that arranges donations of quilts, is one of our most active and worthwhile endeavors. Originally created to give quilts to families or individuals whose homes had been lost or severely damaged by fire, Project Warmth has expanded to include other needs and requests.
Members of the guild make and donate quilts throughout the year. Regular work days for Project Warmth are scheduled for the last Monday of July, August, September, October, January, February, March and April; other dates may be scheduled at the discretion of the chair. These workdays are held at Faith Lutheran Church. Work days are open to all area quilters. Everyone is encouraged to join in and help out. If you cannot attend the work day, fabric is available to make quilt tops or blocks at home. Project Warmth is the perfect place to meet new quilters, express your creativity and learn new techniques without fear of judgment and without cost to you.
Donations of fabric and other quilting materials are always welcome. Project Warmth also sells a small portion of the quilts made to provide funds for batting, fabric, and quilting services. Quilts are available for sale at the Black Hills Quilt Show and the Hill City Quilt Show. A raffle is held every year at the Christmas party with proceeds going to support Project Warmth.
For members who are making quilts, you can find size and materials requirements in the Members tab.
From July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024, the guild donated 390 quilts to local charities, 41 bags to foster care, and 90 blankets to The Monument Infant Bereavement Program.
Remembering Our Military
Quilts for the USS South Dakota Submarine
The USS South Dakota (SSN 790) is a nuclear-powered Virginia-class submarine in service with the United States Navy. Her christening ceremony took place on October 14, 2017 in Groton, CT. One of our Guild's newer members was a submariner and he initiated a project to provide quilts for all beds on the USS South Dakota which has a crew of 134. This will be a continuing project as new people are assigned to the submarine. The cost to ship these quilts is approximately $20 per quilt; donations for shipping are appreciated. From the start of this project in Spring 2023, 56 quilts have been sent to the submarine.
Quilts for our Veterans
The Guild also provides quilts for veterans at the Fort Meade Hospice unit. When a veteran passes, there is a processional with the quilt is draped over the body; then it is given to the family. (see list under Project Warmth)
Boots for Troops
Guild members have participated in Boots for Troops since 2007, sending a total of 3729 stockings. Christmas stockings sent to deployed military personnel are made and filled with basic toiletries, snacks, and games, as well as holiday greetings and a message of appreciation for their service to our country. The stockings are sent to relatives and friends of guild members and everyone in their unit. If you know of someone who is deployed, you can send their name, address, and the number of people in their unit to the committee chair via Contact Us.
Partnership with Monument Health
Monument Health Hospice House
One of the charitable activities of the guild is the silent auction benefiting the Hospice House. Quilted objects, from true miniatures to table runners and wall hangings, are made and donated throughout the year by quilt members.The auction items are displayed at the quilt show with the auction closing on Saturday afternoon. In 2024, $2,647 was raised for the Hospice House, making a total of $46,000 donated since 2005.
The guild also donates quilts to Hospice for use on the beds of the patients. These quilts are given to the families after their loved one passes away.
Monument Health Pediatrics
The guild also donates quilts to the Pediatrics department. (see list above)
Infant Loss Bereavement Program (Angel Babies)
This program helps parents who have lost a baby. Swaddling blankets are used to wrap the baby and a larger baby quilt is used as a backdrop for a photo session of the baby and as a momento for the parents to take home. From July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023, 165 quilts and receiving blankets were donated.
Caring Hearts and Thinking of You
The guild supports their fellow quilt sisters who are in need of a hug from their friends. Caring Heart Blocks are made by members and sewn into quilts. These quilts are given to members who are experiencing serious health or personal concerns. Smaller Thinking of You (TOY) Blocks are given to members who may be carrying extra burdens to let them know they are in our thoughts.
Pet Beds for the Humane Society
Quilters generate a lot of scrap which is primarily soft materials like fabric and batting. Rather than throw this into landfill, we fill bags to take to the Humane Society. We make them in all sizes to accommodate the smallest kittens to the largest dogs. We haven't kept track of how many of these bags have been taken to the Humane Society but add 30-50 more every month.