Local quiltmakers donate handmade quilts to Ukrainian families as a sign of hope, peace and welcome
This summer, the Kawartha Quiltmakers’ Guild contacted the New Canadians Centre about making some quilts to gift to new Ukrainian families. They were inspired by American quilt designer Pat Sloan who issued a plea for peace and designed a star-within-a-star block pattern as a sign of strength. Sloan encouraged quilters worldwide to use the pattern in their quilts to show support to Ukrainians.
The Kawartha Quiltmakers’ Guild decided to take up that call and assembled members for the “Quilters Stand for Ukraine” program to produce handmade toddler and lap quilts to donate to Ukrainian families coming to Peterborough.
Tina Lubimiv, a member of the Guild shares that the group is very supportive of the community. “The participation of our guild members in the Quilters Stand for Ukraine program was a natural extension of the work our Guild undertakes in supporting various communities, which include providing quilts of all sizes to various Peterborough charities and the northern communities, sponsoring Quilts for Cancer, making placemats for Meals on Wheels and sending quilt blocks to Australia in support of quilts for people who were affected by the devastating bushfires,” she says.
We connected the Guild with the Ukrainian Gathering, an initiative of the Newcomers Ministry that provides a welcoming and social space for Ukrainians and community members to connect bi-weekly at the Bridge Youth Centre. Representatives of the Guild were invited to attend in August to meet and socialise with families and to gift the quilts personally.
“We normally don’t get to see the recipients of our quilts, so it was doubly satisfying to actually meet a couple of people and see the quilt recipients during the social. We hope that these quilts will provide some comfort and a welcome to our new neighbours,” says Tina.
A total of ten quilts, one wall hanging, and a pillow were given to families. One recipient shared that they “feel happy and welcomed receiving these beautiful gifts.” In a time of immense pain and change for families and individuals, these quilts are a sign of hope, welcome and warmth.
Many thanks to the members of the guild for their kindness and keeping newcomers from Ukraine in their minds and hearts.
