| | Published November 9th, 2011
| 5500 Quilts for Babies at Risk
| | Submitted by Joyanne Elkinton-Walker |  | | Peggy Moe, Rudi Thomas and Beverley Finlayson carry the quilts from the sewing room to the sanctuary. Photo provided
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Early in October, 50 handmade quilts were displayed in the sanctuary of Orinda Community Church for dedication to at-risk babies in the Bay Area. These are in addition to 5500 previous quilts that have been created by the Sewing Circle of the church and sent to various groups caring for babies in crisis.
The Sewing Circle began in 1989 and the first recipient of quilts was the Children's Quilt Project for babies born with crack and Aids symptoms. They went to Children's Hospital, Highland Hospital and Alta Bates Neo-natal unit. The quilts were placed over incubators so babies could see colors and shapes.
Subsequent quilts have been provided to Contra Costa Foster Parents, The Solid Foundation of Oakland, Foster Moms of Alameda County and Project Open Hand.
As disasters struck, quilts were sent for Hurricane Relief in Haiti and New Orleans.
Recently they have been given to Interfaith Housing in Contra Costa, the Banana Respite Program and to the Center for Intervention in Deafness.
The dedicated women sewers include Melody Ferreira, Beverley Finlayson, Peggy Moe, and Liz Thompson under the leadership of Rudi Thomas, who has been the inspiration from the beginning. Many other women have been part of the group through the years.
These ladies have also made banners, stuffed animals, and stoles for all of the pastors and associates at Orinda Community Church, and created the large quilt of Mt. Diablo that hangs in the dining room of the Orinda Senior Village.
Women in the community who would like to participate in this project and have basic knowledge in the use of a sewing machine are invited to join this friendly group on Monday mornings. Call the Orinda Community Church Office at (925) 254-4906 to leave your name and contact.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA