Local ladies send their craft south

Ken Johnston

Many of us take having a comfy quilt on our beds for granted. That is not the case for some children in Cuba so a local quilters group decided to change that.
Meeting every Monday at the Covenant Church in Rainy River, about twelve ladies decided a couple of years ago to start making quilted coverlets for infants and toddlers.
The idea came from Susan Douglas who moved back to Rainy River about two years ago. She had been in Cuba on vacation and had taken a couple of suitcases full of things to give to children in need. “I packed toothbrushes, toothpaste, candy canes, toys, nail polish and crayons.” She said she was looking for some way to get the stuff to the poor when she met a woman named Maria driving a horse and buggy. “She did not speak very good english but we managed to connect.” Maria took Susan on a one hour ride away from the tourist areas of Cuba, where poverty is not that apparent. When she got to a day care she found, “Three crowded rooms of young kids.”
Young kids were sleeping on cots with no blankets. “They tugged at my heart as they lay sleeping with flies crawling in and out of their mouths.”
She brought this knowledge to the Rainy River Quilters Group and the members decided to start making the small quilted coverlets for the kids of Cuba.
The quilted coverlets are just a little bit larger than a pillow case and in some instances the quilters have used pillow cases for backing. Often decorative children’s patterns are used, sewn on. Borders with kid’s patterns are added.
Douglas said some of the coverlets were made in panels and others were made from materials all donated by members of the quilters group. Douglas said they plan to continue making the little quilts for the kids of Cuba indefinitely. They are also looking for donations of sheets or pillow cases for them. They are also looking for people travelling to Cuba to transport them. “They are small and about 40 can be carried in a small suitcase.
In two years the ladies have sent quite few of the coverlets to Cuba via Marlene Warner Enns and the Mennonite Central Church. “I am not quite sure how many we have sent but I think most quilters have made at least ten each.” At present they have about 30-40 ready to go south.
The quilters started as a morning long meeting and socializing. It is now often running all day with many of the members making all kinds of projects. “Often the ladies bring lunch and make a day of it.” They have made big quilts and many table runners. Sewing machines are brought in and run steadily all day.
Douglas said everyone is welcome starting Monday mornings. If people would like more information they can call Jeanette Armstrong at 852-4489 or Tina Mast at 852-3202.