Quilts for Comfort: A Charity that Sews Quilts for At-Risk Children and Adults with Cancer

"Sometimes in a bad situation all you can do is offer comfort. Sometimes that's a lot!"

As a quilter, I'm always looking for opportunities to make the world better. One day, such an opportunity showed up in my local library--Quilts for Comfort.

This charity collects baby quilts and lap quilts which it then distributes to those in need. The tiniest quilts go to preemies. Slightly larger ones are given to at-risk or ill children. Lap quilts are given to patients at a local cancer center. Each quilt has a little Quilts for Comfort tag on the back with the names of everyone who worked on it. The group is nearing 5000 delivered quilts.

Their mission is to bring a little bit of comfort to people who are suffering. It's a way to combine their love for quilting and their concern for others. At each bee, they have books filled with "thank you" notes from recipients. Some tell stories of recovery, others of loss. But all tell how much the quilt meant to them, how their child enjoyed and used it, how they treasure it. Reading those letters is a great encouragement to continue.

You can give all kinds of quilts, from simple tied block patterns to fancier designs. If you don't have quilting experience, your best bet is to visit one of their bees. There's always something you can do (like tying quilts or learning to work the machines). The old-timers are always ready to help out visitors.

One disadvantage of the bees is that you're limited by their location. But if you already know how to sew, you can mail donations to: Quilts for Comfort, PO Box 592, Delaware City, DE 19706. If you're not a quilter, you can also send leftover fabric, thread, scissors, anything that might be useful in making a quilt. I know they particularly appreciate used (working) sewing machines. So if your mom or grandmom gave you one that you've never gotten around to using, consider giving it to a great cause.

Perhaps you think you can't sew at all and don't have any material to donate. If you still want to support their work, consider giving to them through the United Way, their number is 9461. Or mail a check to: Quilts for Comfort, PO Box 592, Delaware City, DE 19706.