Ortonville – Local quilters are stitching up comfort for traumatized children.
In its first year the Town Hall Quilt Guild, an organization of nearly 70 local quilters, hand-stitched 42 quilts to donate to children. Assistant chief Dave Borst of the Brandon Fire Department is currently making room on the rescue trucks for the new quilts.
‘What we’ve done in the past is carry stuffed animals on the rescue rigs,? said Borst. ‘It’s amazing how it can calm a child, and (the quilts) will enhance this.?
All 42 quilt tops were pieced together in a single day by about 13 ladies during the guild’s first ‘Quilt-In? day, held last spring. Members then took the quilt tops home to stitch to the batting and backing, said Carole Holt, guild community service chairperson.
The Town Hall Quilt Guild began last November when guild president Barb Chirco, a teacher at the Mabelena Quilt Shop on Mill Street, spread the word.
‘There were so many quilters around that needed a place to share one another’s passion,? Chirco said. ‘We needed a place where we could be challenged by new techniques.?
While guild members enjoy the camaraderie and education, they all share a community focus.
‘Carole Holt researched different areas where we could give the quilts away,? said Chirco.
Along with supplying fire trucks with the quilts, other hand-stitched pieces were donated to Haven, a Pontiac domestic violence shelter, said Holt.
‘We’re hoping that giving them a quilt will comfort them a little bit,? Holt said. ‘It will be an ongoing project to do every year.?
Although there’s no instant cure for trauma, Borst expects the quilts will help soften the blow for children who have been rescued from a fire or car accident.
‘I’ve got six grandkids and I can tell you from experience they all have ‘blankies,? Borst said. ‘I call it comfort for kids.?
‘It’s as if you’re giving someone a hug from far away,? said Chirco.
‘We know that they’re going to outlive us, that they’re going to a child or someone in need. That’s the most incredible feeling in the world,? she said.
‘We’re hoping that giving them a quilt will comfort them a little bit,? Holt said. ‘It will be an ongoing project to do every year.?