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Community Initiatives (formerly Charity Work)
One of the objectives of CGFA is to provide opportunities to give back to the community and we do this in a numver of ways. Quilts for Kids This program provides quilts for youth and teens facing challenging times in their lives. The program is lead by Darlene Hockaday and a team of dedicated quilters. Many of our members work on the quilts by way of sewing the tops, long arm quilting or binding the quilts. Our quilts go to children and teens in a number of organizations in Calgary. All quilts go home with the children or teens when they leave the facility, whether it be the Children's Cottage, Children's Hospital Since 2012 we have been finishing and donating close to 300 quilts each year. In the Guild year 2021-2022 members made and donated 340 quilts! At the end of the 2023-2024 guild year, over 400 quilts were delivered! Fundraising is a necessary part of the Quilts for Kids program and every year we organize a quilt sharing event "Spring Fling" to showcase many of the quilts we have made before they are distributed. Representatives of our recipients, donors, members and guests attend and share their experiences in the success of this initiative. All funds raised at this event go to cover the cost of fabric, batting, as well as machine quilting services. All items for purchase by way of chinook, silent or live auction at this event are donated. Toiletry Bags Our members also sew and fill over 200 toiletry bags each year for two women's shelters in Calgary - Awo Tanna Healing Lodge and YWCA Sherriff King Home. Placemats for Meals on Wheels Over the years, our quilt members have also stitches hundreds of placemats for Meals on Wheels. These are delivered with meals during the month of December. | Quilts of Valour - Canada Society https://www.quiltsofvalour.ca "Our mission is to ensure that Canadian Forces are recognized for their service and commitment of our country. We give this support through the presentation of quilts to comfort our past and present Canadian Forces members."
A Quilt of Valour is a "hug from a nation" to a CF Member who serves and makes sacrifices for our country. The quilt standards must reflect the level of gratitude that we want to demonstrate to our recipient. In all cases we request that the standards we have established are followed to ensure that a high quality symbol of gratitude is presented. Needlework for Women and Children Many needlework members members make a variety of knitted and crocheted project - including preemie and baby blankets, mittens, toques, slippers and sweaters. These items are given to the Calgary Health Trust (which includes hospitals in the Calgary area), Kara Life Program, Children's Cottage, Louse Dean School and Bethany Nursing Home. PAST INITIATIVES: Pillow Cases for Ukrainian Refuge Children In May 2022 we were invited to make 40 pillow cases for Ukrainian children and teens arriving in Calgary. Hearts for Hospice Many of our members have created hearts to support CGFA's Hearts for Hospice initiative. A hospice patient selects a handmade heart to hand on their door while in hospice and their family may take the heart home later. The heart hanging on the door is reminder to staff and others that family members are grieving and to be respectful. |
