Quilts of Love

May 20, 2020

What began as a ministry to children has branched out to all who need tangible evidence of God’s love.

Separated from family, there are many people who need a tangible sign that they are loved. One is in a nursing home. Another is entering a shelter for safety. Another has been separated from their parent. Each of these is reminded they are loved through the gift of a beautiful quilt, made with love. In some cases, they receive this quilt in a heavy duty tote bag filled with other important items depending on the age of the recipient. A child might receive a book and a toy with the quilt; a young lady might receive lotion, a devotional book, and a quilt. Every bag contain toiletries; soap, tooth care, shampoo, and more.

On the giving side are seamstresses from all age brackets who help to make these quilts. Someone donates new material. Another makes a beautiful pattern and cuts out the pieces. Others sew the quilt tops. Once a month these quilters get together and culminate their many hours of work at home to put together the quilts, to visit, to teach the new quilters the trade, and to make a difference in the lives of those who need more love.

Quilts of Love is a ministry of the Diamond Lake Seventh-day Adventist Church.* Members from this church and others have been involved for many years. Quilts of Love began as Bags of Love through Kathy Folkes. The bags contained age-specific items for children just entering the Child Protective System.

What began as a ministry to children has branched out to all who need tangible evidence of God’s love. The Bags of Love ministry did so well that there were more bags available to use than the need, hence the need to branch out and change the name to Quilts of Love. This year they have made about 50 quilts and by the end of the year, the group will have completed 80 to 100 quilts.

When asked why she helps, Mary Vermeeren says, “Being on the team of Quilts of Love is a way to show those in the community we care. It shows the character of Christ to help those in need.”

Quilts of Love are made size-specific and age-specific, so they are exactly what is needed. The lap quilt, the bed throw cover, the child-size quilt, all are made with love. Some are delivered to the Priest River women’s shelter. Some are brought to the Spokane Better Living Center to be distributed to safe houses for victims of abuse. Others are transported to the activity directors of nursing homes to be given out as they see fit. Each quilt has a small Bible verse sewn on with the words “Quilts of Love” from Diamond Lake Adventist Church. All the supplies for the quilts and the bags are lovingly donated.

Those involved in Quilts of Love are living out the Bible verse that says, “This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you” John 15:12.