For more than 30 years, the Palouse Patchers’ annual quilt show has raised money to make quilts for foster children, veterans and others.
Philip Vukelich | Argonaut This quilt, on display in Book People of Moscow in, will be raffled at the Palouse Patchers' Quilt Show April 15 at the Latah County Fairgrounds. Raffle tickets sell for $1 at Book People of Moscow.
Celia Boland, a member of the club since 1982, said the annual quilt show’s $5 admission fee is the club’s primary fundraiser.
They also raffle off a quilt, on which Boland said members of the club collaborate. This year’s raffle quilt is on display at Bookpeople of Moscow.
Mary Shook, one of the club’s community service chairwomen, said the club donates quilts and other hands-on projects to community members in need.
“We’re doing our part to help kids in need in our area,” Shook said.
Shook said the group gives quilts to the Quilts of Valor Foundation, which has donated more than 62,000 quilts to service members and veterans.
The group also gives a quilt to every child in foster care in the area, including Lewiston, Clarkston, Pullman and Moscow.
Shook said Iris Murray, a Palouse Patcher who also volunteered with Court Appointed Special Advocates — which advocates for children in the foster system, started the program.
Boland said the group donates money to local libraries, Paradise Creek Regional Alternative School and gives Christmas gifts to children.
She said because the group is a non-profit organization, all of its money must be spent each year.
Shook said they donate between $500 and $700 a year.
“And that’s cold, hard cash,” Shook said.
Shook said they are always on the lookout for opportunities to donate quilts or money raised through the quilt show and other activities.
This year’s quilt show is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.Sunday at the Latah County Fairgrounds.
Boland said about 200 quilts will be on display, most of them made by members of the Palouse Patchers.
“We just take over the whole building,” Boland said.
Boland said some members of the group participate in quilting challenges. This year, contestants were given different colors, which will be grouped together to create a quilted rainbow.
Other items on display include baby quilts and antiques. Sometimes group quilts are on display.
Boland said most of the quilts are not for sale, though vendors will sell fabric and other quilting items. Some members of the group have also written books.
Homemade cookies will be served after the quilt show, according to Boland.
Shook said she enjoys the group because it welcomes a variety of people from different age groups.
Boland said she would like to see more young people join the group.
She said there are no dues, but each member is expected to help out at the quilt show.
“We’re always glad to have new members,” Boland said.
For more information about The Palouse Patchers and their projects visit palousepatchers.org.
Kasen Christensen can be reached at [email protected]