The Salt Lake East Mill Creek Stake Relief Society has got just about everybody covered - comfortably that is.
As winter storms laid a snowy blanket across the Wasatch Front, Relief Society sisters in the East Mill Creek 2nd, 4th, 6th, 9th and 15th wards recently donated 84 quilts to community agencies, including those that serve the homeless, children and teen mothers in the Salt Lake area.That made a total of 414 quilts that have been made by Relief Society sisters in the five wards of the stake during the past five years.
"It is a work of love. We truly have been blessed in this area, and we feel it is a privilege to share with others. The 4th and the 2nd wards included members of the Young Women in making baby quilts," said Beverly B. Glade, stake Relief Society president.
When the quilt-making project was started five years ago, each ward Relief Society was asked if members could complete five quilts a year. Now, most of the wards complete about 15 to 20 quilts every year, she said.
During homemaking sessions, Relief Society members frequently put a quilt on a frame and work while they visit or plan other Relief Society activities. Sometimes they do the work on special quilting days, during which a lunch is served. Much of the fabric, batts and yarn are donated by Relief Society members.
During 1994, as in past years, many quilts have been given to the Homeless Shelter. Quilts also have been contributed to the New Hope Refugee Friendship Center, the Salt Lake County Detention Center, Alta View Hospital, the Teen Mother and Child program at University Hospital, a youth support home, Salt Lake County Youth Services, the YWCA's Battered Women's program and Family Support Center.
At New Hope Refugee Friendship Center, "our clients arrive in Salt Lake City with practically nothing and no way to keep warm. Quite often they come without coats. One family of seven came from Russia with only one suitcase containing belongings for the entire family," said Marjorie Keel of the refugee center staff, in thanking Relief Society sisters for their gifts.
The quilts made for babies go with infants when they leave a hospital.
"We know there are extensive needs in the community that haven't been met. Sisters in the wards worked deligiently in helping to meet those needs," said East Mill Creek Stake Pres. W. Bruce Woodruff.
Each time a new quilt is given to a teen mother in the Teen Mother and Child program "it serves as a gentle reminder that all babies deserve a big welcome, with hope and optimism for their future. Quilts, made with love and concern for the less fortunate, help our staff relay that message to every new mother," said Gail Szykula, the center's outreach coordinator.
"We are so grateful that you thought of our program and our babies. Charitable work, such as yours, is so important to our community."
Sister Glade said she hopes the quilt-making project can become a tradition of service rendered by the stake.
Making quilts to bring comfort and warmth is a "rich heritage in Relief Society. An added benefit is the sisterhood that develops when Relief Society sisters work together. These same kind of benefits of providing comfort, service and building sisterhood can also be provided in many other ways in Relief Society," said Elaine L. Jack, Relief Society general president.