Quilters are well-known for their generosity and charitable works. Past columns have mentioned many charities that either accept donated quilts and pass them on to those in need, or that auction or raffle off quilts to raise money for specific charities.
Recently, I was made aware of a Grand Rapids, Michigan-based group called Margaret's Hope Chest.
This group was founded by the granddaughter of Margaret Herrema. In April 2005, at the age of 81, Ms. Herrema was robbed of her purse, and pushed to the ground where she suffered a head injury. She died two days later.
In her memory, her granddaughter Carin Vogelzang founded Margaret's Hope Chest. The group makes and receives handmade quilts from quilters and others and distributes them to those in need of hope through a network of agencies including the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army.
Quilts go to homeless children, children of women in shelters, and teen mothers through Booth Services.
Soon the group hopes to begin distributing quilts to the children of incarcerated people. This idea was born out of Carin's realization that the person in prison for the attack on her grandmother has a family too.
If you would be interested in making a custom quilt for the child of a prisoner, please contact Carin directly at margaretshopechest@yahoo.com.
If you would like to help Margaret's Hope Chest, you can visit their website and click on the "Ways to Help" link.
They are looking for
- donations of quilts
- materials to make quilts
- money to buy materials
- people to deliver quilts
You can also let them know if you know of a group or individual who needs a quilt. You can stay current on what's happening with the group, by following Carin's blog.
If you know of a good quilt-related cause in your area, let me know!
Comments