The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Heavenly Quilters Raise $1,200 For Stephentown Library

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by David Flint
Stephentown resident Andrea Beckwith was the winner of the Heavenly Quilters’ annual Quilt Raffle but the community, through the Stephentown Memorial Library, was also a big time winner. The Quilters held their drawing on Tuesday morning at the Federated Church’s Pearce Hall. The beautiful 102 x 106 inch sampler quilt goes to Beckwith and $1,200 in proceeds from the raffle goes to the Library.

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With funds raised from the raffle of their 2012 quilt, The Heavenly Quilters presented a check for $1,200 to the Stephentown Memorial Library on Tuesday, April 24, at the Federated Church’s Pearce Hall. In the photo (l-r) are Rev. Susan Schulz, Debbie Pentak, Ellen Vosburgh, Library Director Laurenne Teachout and Donna Mullet Ellen Jennings. (David Flint photo)

Laurenne Teachout, Library Director, was on hand to receive the check from the Quilters. “This is what the Library is all about,” she said, alluding to this sense of community that she said the Quilters had exhibited, crafting a beautiful object with their own hands to help out their friends and neighbors. On behalf of the Library Teachout thanked the Quilters and also the Friends of the Library who worked so hard to sell raffle tickets over the past months.
The Heavenly Quilters currently have 15 members who meet and do much of their quilting work on Tuesdays at the Stephentown Federated Church. Some are local and some come over from neighboring Massachusetts. Each year they work on a major quilt project for a raffle with the proceeds going to a selected charity or community organization. Those that have benefitted in the past include the Federated Church, the Stephentown Volunteer Fire Department, the Elizabeth Freeman Center for victims of domestic violence and the “To Life” breast cancer education and support group
The Heavenly Quilters also make lap robes for shut-ins and hats and mittens for needy children in the area. Another project they have is “cuddle quilts.” They make and donate at least 300 of these small children’s quilts. Children who have suffered a disaster or are suffering from cancer find some comfort when they receive a cuddle quilt along with a stuffed animal. Recipients beside local shut-ins include the St. Catherine’s Center for Children in Albany and the Albany Hospice Inn at St. Peter’s Hospital. In 2005 the Quilters packed up and sent over 50 sets of hats, mittens and scarves to needy children in a village in Afghanistan.
The Heavenly Quilters meet at the Federated Church on Garfield Road in Stephentown each Tuesday morning from 9 to 11 am. Anyone with an interest in quilting is invited to join the group. For more information, please contact Donna at 518-733-5278 or Susie at 413-243-1071.

The Heavenly Quilters present their 2012 Raffle Quilt. Holding the Quilt are Louise Shuttleworth and Arline Callan, (standing l-r) Linda Holder, Lois States, Barbara Kubli, Doris Sour and Donna Mullet; (seated in back row l-r) Betty Roosa, Audrey Foody, Elizabeth Southard, Margaret Mary Richards and up front, Ellen Vosburgh and Susie Morris. (David Flint photo)

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