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‘Another way to welcome them home’

4 min read
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From left, Dr. Sally Mounts, City Mission director of development, presents a certificate of thanks to Martha Washington Quilt Guild Treasurer Melanie Beth Scott and President Kathryn Robinson for a donation of more than 25 quilts that will be placed on every bed in the City Mission’s Patriot House, a shelter for homeless veterans.

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A section of a quilt donated to Patriot House

When the veterans who move into the City Mission’s Patriot House enter their new rooms, they’ll be met with the comforts of home – a place to keep their belongings, a dresser and a bed. But it’s the items atop the beds that will perhaps provide the most comfort.

Courtesy of Martha Washington Quilters Guild

Guild member Pam Taylor with a quilt that she made. The quilt will be used in the Patriot House.

Members of the Martha Washington Quilters Guild created a quilt for every one of the 22 beds in the homeless veteran’s facility that’s scheduled to open next summer – plus a few extras.

“Our hope is the veterans will go to sleep each night and think, ‘Someone cared about me enough to make this,'” said Melanie Beth Scott, guild treasurer.

When members heard a veteran’s shelter – the only of it’s kind in Southwestern Pennsylvania – was in the works, they knew they’d contribute in some way. They thought maybe they’d make pillowcases or something small for each room. But when put to a vote, every member raised a hand in support of creating quilts.

“It was like, how can we not do this?” said Scott.

So members got to work, creating a one-of-a-kind quilt for each room in the color scheme of red, white and blue or camouflage. Some of the quilts were made by individuals, while some were a group effort. Three were made from a block drive.

“We thought we’d get one blanket from that, but members brought in so many, we made three quilts,” said Scott.

Natalie Reid Miller/Observer-Reporter

Member Carol Yohe with a quilt to be raffled at the guild’s show, Friday and Saturday at Church of the Covenant, Washington

For years, City Mission leaders have had plans to create a place for homeless veterans. A fire in the main shelter in 2015 delayed construction, but the $2.8 million facility is well on its way to completion.

“Our idea is that they’ve served us, now let’s serve them,” said Dr. Sally Mounts, mission director of development. “The quilts are done with impeccable workmanship. They’re gorgeous. You would be proud to have this on any bed. For our homeless vets to walk in and see one, it’s another way to welcome them home.”

Donating their creations is nothing new to the guild. Making quilts for children removed from their homes by Washington County Children and Youth Services is a regular, ongoing project. They also have made quilts for Susan G. Komen For the Cure, a breast cancer organization, and for the mission’s Avis Arbor shelter for women and children. Members also create stockings for soldiers who are currently deployed, through Boatsie’s Boxes, and have raised money for victims of the 2013 Oklahoma tornadoes and Hurricane Harvey.

Courtesy Martha Washington Quilters Guild

Member Terry Crawford, left, and Mary Ann Halulko display a creation during a guild workshop.

There are about 50 members of the quilters guild, which has grown by about 15 members over the past two years. President Kathryn Robinson said they’re a small, but dedicated, group that meets every week.

“There are a lot of people (in the guild) who are real artists,” she said. “But we have members at all skill levels.”

Natalie Reid Miller/Observer-Reporter

A section of a donated quilt

Every one of the Patriot House quilts will be on display at the guild’s main fundraiser, a biannual quilt show that takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Church of the Covenant, 267 E. Beau St., Washington. The Patriot House quilts will be displayed, as well as almost 200 other creations by members. There will be vendors, demonstrations, raffles and lunch available. Pre-sale tickets are available for $5, or $6 at the door. A “$10 deal” includes admission and two raffle quilt tickets.

“Quilts can provide a little bit of comfort,” Scott said. “I think it’s an innate, primal thing. It’s comforting, like apple pie.”

For more information about the Martha Washington Quilters Guild or quilt show, visit www.marthawashingtonquiltersguild.com or call 412-983-3986. For information or to donate to City Mission, visit www.citymission.org or call 724-222-8530.

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