Volunteers crowded the halls of the Mariner Mall in Superior as they sewed quilts that will be given to needy children. Alyssa Palmer has the story.

There were Christmas quilts with candy canes and a quilt with clowns on it. In all, 30 volunteers are working on their own quilts.

The Douglas County Home and Community Education programmed a Quilt-a-thon to sew quilts for children all over the Twin Ports. Quilt-a-thon coordinator Sue Hendrickson says the quilts will be distributed through local agencies such as family shelters, after school programs, and the Salvation Army.

“It’s been really nice to… people will come and say, ‘We’ve got one of your quilts.’ And one of the moms will come and say, ‘Oh, we got one of your quilts and my daughter really likes it.” And we get thank you notes from those different agencies that have them to pass on.”

MaryAnn Gronquist from South Range says she sews for the worthy cause and the good company. “It was kind of fun to come and visit while you’re working. It is just a fun day, and it’s the time of the year were you can’t really be outside so it give you something to do. And it’s not that hard.”

The volunteers have sewn nearly 50 quilts during this Quilt-a-thon. Many plan to bring the unfinished projects home. June Reuille of Superior doesn’t mind.

“If we have a lot to finish, we all take some home, finish, and bring them back when we’re done. It’s time consuming. But I can do it at home; I spread it out on my kitchen counter nice and big and watch TV.”

By the end of the year, about 100 quilts will be donated to children in need.

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