MOUNT VERNON — When Fran Kempton set out to make a quilt for her sister, a resident at the Ohio Eastern Star Home, she ended up sparking a year-long project that wrapped 65 residents in handmade warmth.
Kempton, a retired nurse, realized the positive impact that a handmade quilt could have for each resident.
The Knox County Quilt Guild presented 65 handmade quilts to OESH residents on Sept. 14. KCQG is a local organization of over 80 members whose purpose is to share their knowledge and love of quilting. Each year a charitable project to benefit the Knox County community is selected and implemented by the guild.
Charity quilts connect deeply to feelings of compassion, connection, and comfort. Both the giver and receiver experience these emotions, which aren’t just symbolic. Kempton believed that a quilt, given to and kept by each resident, would represent warmth and caring, and would demonstrate the community’s love for our elders. The KCQG unanimously voted to approve the project.
Kempton contacted Marci Thomas, director of Life Enrichment at OESH, who was enthusiastic and supportive about the prospect of each resident having a personalized quilt and approved the project. Thomas, who attended the presentation along with several staff members, also helped Kempton coordinate facility, staff, and resident needs.
Treasures revealed
The Guild presented the quilts during a meeting of the KCQG in the OES Community Room. The Guild displayed all 65 quilts before the presentation.
Guild members presented a quilt to five special guest residents, who represented the four long-term care neighborhoods. All long-term care neighborhood residents then selected a quilt of their choice.
Before the presentation, over 40 KCQG members enjoyed a meal in the OESH Community Room. President Bonnie Yarman opened the meeting, and member Kim White led the group in prayer.
Kempton spoke about the community quilt project.
“I am truly blessed and amazed at the outpouring of quilts to donate to OES by the Guild,” she said.
Kempton thanked members of the KCQG and Robin Jordan, who owns Thread White and Blue Quilting Studio. She also thanked Susan Zurc, who assisted Jordan, and member Kim White, whose charitable sewing ministry “Sew Blessed” contributed many quilts to the project.
Kempton described how the quilts came together.
“We all have a wish cupboard—a place, maybe in a closet, maybe in our hearts, where we tuck things away. We don’t always know why we are keeping them, or what they are for, but we just know, not yet, not this one. Save it. And then one day you’ve saved enough. You’ve gathered enough. And the treasure you were waiting to make finally reveals itself,” she said.
She added that every piece of fabric in the quilts “was tucked away at some point — waiting, being patient, for its purpose.”
“It turns out its purpose was to become something warm, something whole; something given to our elders who deserve to be wrapped in our care,” Kempton said.
“So, when you hold one of these quilts, know that it isn’t just fabric, its years of someone’s wish cupboard, finally opened. It’s treasure, stitched together and given freely—because now was the right time.”
‘Faith is Fabric’
Diane L. Henwood, director of Pine Hill Independent Living, said OESH was founded in 1951. It opened to the public in 1997 and is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year.
Each year the Order at OESH selects a project to enhance livability on campus and selects a theme.
“This year’s theme, ‘Faith is the Fabric,’ which emphasizes faith, love, fidelity, loyalty, and constancy, was a perfect tie into the year-long quilt project, she said.
“These quilts will warm the hearts of all those who receive them; those that see them will be inspired by your generosity.”
Knox County Quilt Guild is open to anyone who shares in the love of quilting. The guild meets monthly at The Barn located on the Mount Vernon Nazarene University campus. Meetings are held on the second Monday of the month at 7 p.m.