By Eloise Labram and Leslie Hardy

The Faithful Circle Quilt Guild thanks Glen Mar for its gracious hospitality. The guild has a goal to make and distribute 500 “Love quilts” to charitable organizations every year. They are called “Love quilts” because so many people take part in the process and each person pours some love into the quilt.

This summer, the First Presbyterian Church of Columbia was struck by lightning rendering the fellowship hall that the guild uses unavailable. Glen Mar provided space for the guild to have a sew day in September. More than 30 people participated in all aspects of the quilt-making process: cutting fabric, designing the quilt tops, sewing tops together, layering the quilts, tying the three layers together, and sewing on binding and labels. Twenty-nine quilts were completed in one day with at least 50 more being processed. Many of the quilts started in September have now been completed.

The quilts will provide warmth and comfort for many people in our community who receive services from Grassroots, Bridges to Housing Stability, Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Home of Our Own Howard, and the Howard County Office of the Aging and Independence. Shut-ins ask for the quilts at holiday time and cancer patients at St. Agnes Hospital use them.

Thanks again for allowing our shared mission to continue.