FERGUS – The families moving into Garafraxa Village – the Habitat for Humanity townhouse complex in Fergus – will also receive a hand-made quilt, courtesy of the Grand Quilt Guild.
It’s a new project for the guild’s community outreach team, that often makes and donates quilts to the palliative care program at Groves Memorial Community Hospital and Guelph General Hospital.
They also make quilts for residents at Michael House and baby quilts for clients of the Wellington Pregnancy Care Centre.
Mary Ann Chisholm, chair of the outreach committee, said she had heard that a quilting guild in Winnepeg had made quilts for a Habitat for Humanity project there.
“I thought it was a nice idea and checked it out. I was delighted to learn there was a Habitat for Humanity project going on in Fergus,” she said.
Karyn Boscariol, director of communications and resource development for Habitat for Humanity Guelph Wellington, said she was overwhelmed when the group reached out to her asking if they could do the project.
“I said of course. This is amazing,” Boscariol said.
“I think it will be one of the heartfelt moments, creating a welcoming environment for the families. I find it so touching.”
Boscariol said in a physical sense, quilts are warm and cozy.
“But to receive a handmade product is such a warm gesture,” she added.
Chisolm said quilters worked on the quilts over the past year, mostly on their own and they’ve created more than 30 quilts for this project.
The Grand Quilt Guild was formed in 1996 as a non-profit organization,
Its goal and mission is to promote and encourage an appreciation of quilting, and needlework art.
Membership is open to all people who are interested in the art of quilting and learning.
They meet on the second Wednesday of the month at 7:30pm at the Fergus Legion. Meetings feature a guest speaker, a “show and tell” time and social time.
The Habitat for Humanity Guelph Wellington project in Fergus is nearing completion and a key pass ceremony is planned for Oct. 18 from 2 to 5pm at the site.
That’s when the first 10 Habitat families will receive keys to their new homes, and their quilts.
“The afternoon will be filled with joy, gratitude,and connection as families, builders, and supporters come together to celebrate what can happen when people unite to make housing affordable for all,” states a press release.
The event is free and open to all but there will be fundraising activities on site during the festivities.
For information about the Grant Quilt Guild, visit grandquiltguild.ca.
For info about Habitat or to RSVP, visit habitatgw.ca.
