Pacific Flyway Quilters held their annual Community Service Giveaway Night last week.
The group met at the Colusa Masonic Lodge, which was filled Sept. 15 with the outcomes of their efforts this past year.
The guild gave away more than 150 comfort items, including quilts, wheelchair and walker totes, drawstring bags, and pet beds to a number of local agencies and organizations.
“I’ve been busy during COVID, just like everyone else,” said local quilter Yvonne Phenicie. “We’re doing wonderful things for the community.”
Community Service Coordinator Emma Thompson said some members that started sewing up a storm during the early days of the pandemic began to taper off when things began to open up. Still, the group gave away more quilts this year than in 2020, thanks to a large donation.
“Two ladies from San Ramon and Livermore challenged each other to make 50 quilts each, using their own fabric supply,” Thompson said. “They donated 40 quilts to our guild in 2021.”
This year, the California Highway Patrol will receive 50 quilts with 50 stuffed animals, up from 44 in 2020. The CHP gives the quilts to children involved in traffic incidents as a way to provide comfort and support, Thompson said.
Additionally, the Colusa Veterans of Foreign Wars will receive 20 quilts and 14 wheelchair/walker totes. The VFW traditionally provides the quilts to veterans and their families, but are also known to donate them to help fire victims.
The guild also provided the Colusa County Foster Care Program with 24 quilts, 40 drawstring bags, and four pillowcases.
Valley West Care Center will receive 20 quilts and 14 wheelchair walker totes, and the Colusa County Animal Shelter will receive 30 pet beds and pet scarves.
Guild members also received a very large donation of fabric this year for the program, and additional space from the Masons to store it.
“It’s nice to know that people think about us when they are cleaning out their quilting supplies,” Thompson said.
The guild also has four quilts to give families that lost everything in one of California’s many recent wildland fires this year.
The Pacific Flyway Quilters meet the third Wednesday of each month, 315 Fifth St., Colusa. Cotton fabric and cash donations are welcomed and appreciated to help the guild fulfil their community service goals each year. Donations can be sent to P.O. Box 1025, Colusa 95932. ■