Many people think of quilting as just a hobby but the Central Alberta Quilter’s Guild proves that it can be more than just that.

President Sue Harcus said the guild provides a place for people to meet, make friends, share their passion and give back to the community.

“A group of members get together and quilt together and show their projects to receive feedback much like a show and tell,” said Harcus.

A group of guild members meets two times monthly as part of a group called the Care Quilting Group to create works of art which later get donated to organizations or individuals who can benefit from a handmade quilt.

Harcus said the Care Quilting Group is one of the most popular activities and that the group is very thankful to the Knights of Columbus who allow use of their space for the events.

“We have donated single quilts for fundraisers like the Ronald McDonald House, Festival of Trees and the Hospice,” said Harcus.

Quilts were also donated to the victims of the Slave Lake fires last year. Harcus also said quilts go to the Ronald McDonald House families regularly because some of the people can benefit from a quilt.

“We have donated to teens dealing with cancer who could use a real cozy quilt and we had a request to provide a quilt for an elderly lady who lost everything in the Slave Lake fires.”

Harcus said many of the members enjoy taking part in the group because it benefits the community and is a nice way to give back while taking part in something they enjoy.

Much of the fabric used for the Care Quilts is donated by individuals and Harcus said there is a lot of love and laughter surrounding the process by which the quilts are made.

The guild also provides a library of resources including everything from books to quilting supplies that can be rented out to guild members for a length of time.

Part of the idea behind the guild is to educate the public to the value of fine quilting.

The guild has existed in Red Deer since 1983 and two charter members still remain with the group to this day.

The 21st annual quilt show will take place June 8-9 at Westerner Park and there are 233 quilts entered as well as 36 merchants attending.

People interested in taking part in the guild are welcome to attend one meeting before paying annual fees of $20.

For more information visit www.centralalbertaquilters.org.

kpalardy@reddeerexpress.com