Mountain View Quilters display their comfort quilts that will be donated this season. These quilts will be given to various agencies throughout Mountain View County. (Yasmin Lee, CMRU.ca)
Comfort quilts are what the Mountain View Quilters call the quilts they make to give to various agencies that help people in need. Quilts made for donation get gathered throughout the year and are given out around December. In 2022, the group donated a total of 67 quilts to different organizations within the county.
“Anyone receiving them probably just loves them, it’s like it’s a hug is what it is. We feel good about giving. I know we can’t help everybody, I wish we could. Just the fact that we can help some makes us feel good,” said Teresa Bacon, from the Mountain View Quilters.
On top of comfort quilts they also make cat and dog beds to give to the local animal shelter. They use scraps of fabric that can’t be used in a quilt to make a variety of beds for animals in need.
Places that receive the comfort quilts
The group has given comfort quilts to many different agencies throughout the area of Mountain View County.
- The Lions Club for their Christmas hampers.
- They made a quilt for the toddlers storytimes at the Carstairs Public Library.
- Some of the quilts go to the local police and fire departments.
- Comfort quilts have gone to the Pregnancy Care Centre in Olds.
- The Ronald McDonald House in Red Deer has received quilts from the group.
- Hope 4 Kids in Mountain View County is another agency that the group has given to.
Find out more details about how the group came to be and the many ways they are supporting their communities in this video:
Mountain View Quilters are a support group
Members meet at the Half Century Centre, every Monday in Carstairs, Alberta. Not only do they work on comfort quilts but they find themselves inspiring one another and sharing their love for quilting. On Mondays you will find members working on personal projects, group challenges, a mystery project, chatting over a cup of coffee, or showing off their creations.
“Everybody seems to be very happy when they leave and that’s the idea right. Its been a wonderful group, its been a fantastic group of women. Women are known not to get along sort of thing but I mean not here. We’ve just been blessed,” said Bacon.
These quilters like to get together to help support, mentor, and inspire one another. Monday’s are their time to bond over their hobby while building lasting friendships.
Have a glimpse into how the Mountain View Quilters come together:
Author’s reflection
Working with Teresa Bacon and the members of the Mountain View Quilters was welcoming and inspiring. All the women are passionate and talented in creating beautiful work. You can tell that they put their heart into the pieces they make which makes the quilts all the more special. The group puts their own time and money into making several beautiful comfort quilts that must put a smile on receivers faces.
Being around the group I found that not only are they impacting the community with their creations but also impacting the small community of talented women. I witnessed women helping one another with projects or simply talking about their week over coffee. Their energy was infectious and I saw a real life example of women supporting women. Seeing this dedicated group of quilters support each other through laughter and a shared appreciation, is part of their true impact.
Both the impact of the greater community and the impact of each individual, I found an appreciation for their shared hobby. From everyone’s willingness to share their knowledge I gained insight into how women can empower one another in simple ways. I hope their genuine kindness and passion shows throughout this story.
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