Volunteers needed for quilt-a-thon Saturday in Pequot Lakes

PEQUOT LAKES - A Quilts for Kids quilt-a-thon is planned from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday at the Trailside Center at the Pequot Lakes Baptist Church.

The event is free and open to anyone who knows how to quilt or would like to learn while also making a difference for children in crisis in the community. Volunteers may come for an hour or two or all day if they wish. Organizer Arlean Rosemore said volunteers don't have to bring anything, unless they'd like to bring a small dish to share for the potluck lunch or dinner. She said if you can't bring a dish for the potluck, come anyway since everyone is welcome.

"Just come and help, whatever they want to do," said Rosemore. "They can tie, they can sew, or even if they just want to learn."

The organization is also looking for those who wish to donate fabric, yarn or batting. These items may be dropped off at the Trailside Center Saturday. The group also has people who will be knitting hats and making tote bags that will be given away, as well.

Rosemore and her children started making quilts for children about 25 years ago, first for a family that had a house fire and lost everything. This grew into an organization where volunteers make hundreds of quilts to give away to children in crisis in the lakes area. Quilts have gone to women's and children's shelters, emergency foster parents, St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd, Salem West in Deerwood, Port Homes in Brainerd, the Crow Wing County Sheriff's Department, as well as other local emergency personnel. When local emergency workers have enough quilts to give to children in crisis, the group has also donated to Twin Cities hospitals and crisis nurseries, and has shipped off the quilts, along with missionaries, to various countries, including Iraq, China, Tanzania, Congo, Hungary, and Russia.

"The need just gets greater and greater," said Rosemore. "We have so many beautiful children going through the shelters."

For the past 17 years, Quilts for Kids has had a booth at the Minnesota State Fair where children may decorate a piece of paper using crayons which is then ironed on to special blank pieces on the quilts.

Quilts for Kids also meets from 6-8 p.m. Thursday nights at the Jenkins City Hall for those who wish to join them.

For more information, contact Rosemore at (218) 568-6924.

JODIE TWEED may be reached at jodie.tweed@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5858.