Where should all my quilts go? They need to get out in the world and sometimes the best way to do this is to donate them. And it makes me happy!
This is my third year supporting this organization with another quilt donation for their Docs for Ducks Fundraiser in Eugene, Oregon. Here is a little bit about the Cascade Medical Team:
Our mission is providing free healthcare and health education, where medical services are severely lacking along with supporting community development projects to the impoverished population in the Highlands of Guatemala. Our passion is changing lives.
I just heard that MECCA in Eugene is moving! Over the years I’ve donated lots of fabric and other crafty things as they have a wonderful mission of spreading arts and crafts in our community. Exciting times! And they are asking for your help. So check out their website and see if you are interested in helping in one way or another.
From their latest communication:
For some time now, MECCA has been daydreaming about moving into a bigger space so that we can grow our community impact, and this summer, our dreams will come true! Our new home will belocated just down the road at 5th and High, formerly occupied by St. Vincent de Paul, and will more than double our space to learn, create, and nurture sustainable makers. It will give us greater ability to bring forth programs that just weren’t possible in our old home – such as hosting workshops and a recycled art gallery – and will allow for improved ADA accessibility and a more enjoyable shopping experience for our entire community.
A bigger space will help us create a bigger impact. I’m writing today to ask for your support to help us transition into our new home. With every curveball that’s come our way over the last couple of years, your support has helped us continue diverting materials from the waste stream for the benefit of our community’s creativity and environmental footprint. This move will be transformative for our organization, and we are so excited for what is to come!
MECCA is currently having an online auction to raise funds. If you are artsy or craftsy, or need some last-minute gifts for the holidays, this is a great organization to support. The auction ends December 13, so check it out today!
Here is a little bit about them from their website:
MECCA got its start in a local garage 22 years ago, though we could never have imagined the path we’d take or how we’d grow over the years. Since then, we’ve managed to keep thousands of pounds of materials out of the waste stream each year, supplies that have inspired local creators to make art that enhances their lives and their community.
These supplies make their way into the hands of the people who need them most: teachers and their students, community groups, social justice organizations, homeschool families, creative entrepreneurs, and artists and makers of all walks, ages, media, and abilities.
Offering free and affordable art supplies furthers our vision of a joyful, sustainable, and art-centric community. And in moments of increased isolation, anxiety, and uncertainty, artistic expression plays a greater role than ever in our individual and collective well-being.
Such outcomes, though, require the investment of those who value the wonderful impact that MECCA has in our community — people like you — and it is our hope that we can count on you to support the activities that make MECCA essential.Your support makes it all possible.
The 2021 Diamonds in the Rough Quilt Show was a huge success! My quilt group, the Pine Needlers, has held this show annually for 17 years. We’ve been in five different locations over the years, but no matter what comes our way (including a drive-thru show during the pandemic), we’ve held our show for the community.
This year we we are donating $3,600 to the following organizations:
$1,200 Lowell Rural Fire Protection District
$1,200 Lowell Food Pantry
$600 Lowell/Fall Creek Education Foundation
$360 City of Lowell to help residents behind on water/sewer bills
$240 Highway58Herald in Oakridge
All the money we raise goes back into the community or to our very few show expenses. A big thank you to all the people that support the sale of raffle tickets, and who purchase quilts and raffle baskets at the show, so that we can keep giving money to our community!
And of course, without the members of the Pine Needlers, and some of their spouses, for helping each year to organize and do the heavy lifting to make this show happen. This year we lost one of our founding members, Gerry Burr. We miss her terribly as we relied on her wonderful sense of humor and smile, her wicked-good quilting abilities, and her common-sense approach to difficult conversations. There is no doubt her spirit will live on in all our future quilting endeavors.
Towerhouse Quilts 