Linda Rowe
The PebbleCreek Quilters Club faced many challenges in completing charity projects due to COVID-19 precautions. Like many clubs, we were unable to use the Creative Arts Center (CAC) for several months. Until we were able to access our stores of fabric for charitable uses, many members used their personal supplies to begin making masks for others. Then came supply chain issues. There were shortages of interfacing, elastic, and even the thread needed to make masks for frontline healthcare workers and high-risk patients in desperate need.
Even now, months later, we are able to use the CAC but are limited to only 10 people using the room at a time. This, combined with a reduction in CAC hours, also limits access to the long arm quilting machine and classes where many projects are usually completed. These are not criticisms, but statements of fact. These important precautions were initiated to keep us safe. Cheryl Neal and the CAC team deserve recognition for the great job they have done, and continued to do, to ensure safe access to the CAC.
Despite these challenges, we are pleased to announce that in addition to the 7,959 masks that went to Abrazo Hospital, New Life Center, Hospice of the Valley, Navajo Nation, Banner Hospital, Cancer Centers of America, Dignity Health, PebbleCreek residents, friends, and family, the following charitable contributions were made:
* 61 quilts to Hospice of the Valley
* 217 receiving blankets and 19 teddy bears to Abrazo Hospital
* 23 quilts and 16 flannel blankets to Southwest Family Advocacy
* 6 quilts to Natalie’s House
* 2 quilts for foster children
* 87 dog beds
* 42 cosmetic bags for New Life Center
* 51 Hope Bags for New Life Center
Patsy Wagner, chairperson for Community Service, states it best, “Not too shabby for a pandemic year.”