St. Thomas Quilters still sewing for those in need

For the past 24 years the Saint Thomas Quilters have been working to make a difference.

Their mission is to show God's love through the comfort of a quilt. Lucille Laska formed the group in 1999 when a hurricane in Guatemala caused severe damage. What began as answering a call for that specific need continues strong today.

For the first six months, the ladies worked in the St. Thomas Parish Center. They then moved into the basement of the church rectory which has been their workshop ever since. This makes things much easier for them as everything from sewing machines, ironing boards, material, etc. is set up and ready to use within a hands reach.

The ladies work on faith alone since whenever fabric is needed for more quilts, it seems to show up from nowhere. People have been so good to keep the quilters in mind whenever they are cleaning out their houses, or have some scraps or materials they no longer need. One example of their faith is a few years ago the ladies were gifted three vanloads of fabric from a Plainville family who wanted their mother's fabric collection to go to a good cause.

The quilters also sell raffle tickets each year on a quilt they sew to be given away at the St. Thomas Mardi Gras Celebration. The money earned from the raffle is used to purchase batting, thread, etc. as well as for any maintenance needed on the sewing machines.

The group has also never spent a dollar on postage, even though their quilts have nearly circled the globe. Just as more fabric always seems to arrive when needed, there is always a way for the quilts to be distributed where there is a need. Local residents, family members, business people, missionaries etc. deliver the quilts.

Through the years, Hospice has been, and still is, the recipient of many of the quilts. Quilts have also been sent to Catholic Charities, Options, First Call for Help, Under His Wings, the Wichita Children's Home, a soup kitchen in Denver, fire victims, tornado victims, the Salina Homeless Shelter, as well as distributed within our local commodities.

From 1999-2022 the St. Thomas Quilters have sewn 5,893 throw size quilts and donated 7,847 items to those in need.

Other items they have donated through the years are Rosaries, crocheted hats and scarves, pillowcases, bibs and pocket prayer quilts. And their hands have not slowed down since in the last six months alone, 267 quilts have been sown and donated.

The ladies work every Monday morning from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon in the church basement.

They look forward to their Monday morning sewing session saying it is the best day of the week, doing something for someone else, and for people who they will probably never meet.

Years ago, this group began cutting, sewing and tying their way into Heaven, as they say, “one piece of fabric at a time.”

As a former member once stated, “We are working our way up!” And many of those sweet ladies who were once part of the group have already made it up there as part of that heavenly sewing circle.

The quilters started as a Catholic group, but over the years have become nondenominational.

Karen Reed, who leads the group, is the only one of the original members.

Current members are Barbara Williams, Barbara Record, Joan Balderston, Gail Gallaway, Julie Becker (Plainville), Jana Slansky, and Cheryl Calvin.

Other members through the years including the original members are Lucille Laska, Betty Axelson, Anna Jane Pettijohn, Evelyn Hindman, Karen Reed, Elaine Maddy, Eleanor Bellerive, Loretta Niblock, Martha Blair, Dorothy Hance, Beulah Waters, Norma Braun, Alvina Knight, Vera and Ben Neirmeier, Lou Slansky, Leta Weiser, Joan Santilli, Judy Hachmeister, and the Solomon Valley Manor residents.

Many other volunteers have given their time over the years by making Rosaries, tying or delivering the quilts, crocheting hats and scarves, etc.