It was wonderful to get together with our friends at La Hacienda for a Bee on Saturday, February 26th. We had 48 guests lending their helping hands to our blanket making cause. The weather was gorgeous and several residents were gathering in and around the pool just outside the community room where we were playing with fabric.
I think everyone had a good time, but some even more than others. In addition to our usual door prize basket and 50/50 raffle, the quilt group at La Hacienda made a beautiful Kachina wall hanging as a raffle prize. AZ Blankets 4 Kids’ own Sylvia Saffell was the lucky winner of this beautiful creation. The door prize basket in a pretty red Valentine theme, went to La Hacienda resident, Mary Beach. Carol Graham, of Caring Circle in San Tan Valley, wore green and won the green in our 50/50 raffle. We had lots of freebies in fabric, patterns, books, and more. We started this year with a little shop of 50 cent fat quarters at our Bees. It’s been such a hit and the fat quarter donations just keep coming in, so I’ve named our little venture the Fat Quarter Frenzy. Our President, Letty Fowell, does a great job running this shop and it helps us pay for supplies like batting or basting spray.
The real winners of the day were our kids, because 59 quilts were donated at the door and 38 were finished at the Bee. That adds up to 97 kids who will wrap themselves in these blankets that have been stitched together with love. I know I’m not alone in the belief that all our love gets transferred to those kids who receive the blankets.
We’ve always appreciated the generosity of La Hacienda quilters for their time, talent and Bee hosting, but we learned recently that this RV Resort gives so much back to the community where many only spend their winters. Every February, since 1991, they hold a pie auction to benefit Sunshine Acres Children’s Home. Residents make or purchase pies and donate them to be auctioned. The choir of children from the home comes out to sing during the auction and deliver pies to the winning bidders. This year there were about 100 residents at the auction and they raised nearly $16,000. Yes, you read that right. In addition to the children’s home they also donate to Apache Junction Unified School District’s Project Help and the Superstition Fire and Medical District paramedics. What a wonderful giving community!
Thank you La Hacienda quilters, for another lovely Bee. We’ll Bee back next year!
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