We are in awe! We asked for your help and, oh baby, did you deliver! We know the quilts and humanitarian needs you have donated were done so with heart. We could feel the love emanating from the heaping stack of goodness you brought to the shop. Thank you. We're here to report they are now on their way to those displaced by the CA wildfires. Gina Halladay and the team at Wrap the World with Quilts asked that we relay their thanks and assurance that your donations are received with a distinct sense of gratitude. They've seen it first hand.

While collecting donations, an interesting thing happened that helped me understand, on a new level, how meaningful a quilt donation can be. Earlier this week, a friend of mine sent me a link to an Instagram post he knew I would enjoy. It was shared by a gentleman here in Utah who was pictured sitting with a partially sewn quilt that included his own story of transformation and healing. You can read his moving account here.

To summarize; during a difficult, extended stay at a hospital, the nurse brought him a quilt made by an anonymous donor. He recognized the time, resources and talent that went into the gift and couldn't believe it was done for the comfort of a stranger. It became a unique part of his healing process and so he committed to return the kindness by someday making a quilt to donate.

Nine years later, he decided it was time. Having no idea where to begin he connected with the Salt Lake Modern Quilt Guild. He immediately met a lady named Gina who, together with a network of approximately 7,000 quilters, has made quilts to aid those displaced by war and natural disaster. She helped him learn to sew blocks together. The therapy he found in meeting with others to sew for a cause is something many of you are familiar with. In his case, it continued a spiritual path to healing. I read his story more than once. Tears were involved. The following morning, I had a message to call Wrap the World with Quilts to arrange our drop-off.

It wasn't until then that I made the connection -- our friend Gina Halladay is the same Gina from the post I had read the previous day. She shared how wonderful it was to work with this gentleman and hear his story. Other guild members told him, "You know, I've sewn so many quilts for the hospital and VA. Sometimes, I wonder if they really make a difference or if it's just something I can't stop doing." And that's why I share this full-circle story with you. It's just one of many, many chronicles of compassion that comes with a quilt gift. They do make a difference, oftentimes more than we can imagine.

With this experience fresh in my mind, the tone was set for the delivery of your donations. Here's my car stuffed passenger seat to hatch with your quilts and more! Gina and her team were delighted as we filled carts with quilty love and took them into their studio. She gave me a tour. I was happy to find tissues at the ready because more tears were involved (see her Instagram post here and follow along).

Their center includes a small office space for processing donations, tables with sewing machines so quilters can donate their time, and heaps of quilt and blanket donations ready to reach those in need. A storage space holds fabric from which the team puts together quilt kits with simple patterns for quilters to pick up, finish and return for donation. That's right! You can pick up a free prebundled kit from these bins and contribute! What a great idea for your next guild gathering!

As we walked, Gina showed me their "quilt counter" that is updated daily. As of today, they have processed 53,108 quilts. She mentioned a great episode on BYU TV called Making Good (watch it here) that shows just what they've been up to. Her team told me more about the sewing centers they have set up. "Through donor gifts (both large and small!) there are now several sewing centers in Poland and Ukraine. Our donated machines are being used to make household items, camo gear for soldiers, quilts and blankets for kids, and are used as a tool to help rehab injured soldiers and to help displaced Ukrainians deal with stress and PTSD." Here's Gina and some of the gals in their Lehi sewing center with your donations. I can't wait to get more involved with their cause!


It's incredible to see how what started as a drive to collect a few quilts has grown into a life-changing effort to fill needs around the world. Their charity partner is Lifting Hands International through whom efforts are currently focused on CA wildfire victims. They receive updates regularly from LA fire departments with needs and -- guess what -- quilts and blankets are still on their list! We will continue to be a drop-off location for Wrap the World with Quilts as they sew forth sending comfort where it's most needed.