“We liked the idea of creating and auctioning off a quilt to support youth in earning to appreciate the environment,” says Hedin. “Working with the Wildlife Habitat Management Program, we selected the GreenKids program at East Silver Spring Elementary School because it met that goal of helping young students.”
Each quilter selected a plant or animal that could be found on the Riderwood campus and created a quilt square to represent their choice. Some squares were appliquéd, some were pieced, and one square had a photo transferred onto it. When the individual squares were finished, the quilters collectively decided on the best way to organize the pieces. The result was a beautiful creation that raised $700 at Riderwood’s Earth Day celebration auction. All of the proceeds were donated to East Silver Spring Elementary School.
“It’s wonderful knowing that the quilters have made such a positive difference in the lives of these young children,” says Levern Allen, Riderwood’s quilt club coordinator.
Through the eyes of a child
Once the quilt was auctioned and the proceeds donated to the school, the students sent thank you letters to the quilt club along with an invitation to their end-of-year Green Celebration.
“Several quilters were able to attend the assembly program, where we were presented with a certificate recognizing our efforts,” says Hedin. “One young ambassador came along and shook our hands. All of a sudden there was a line of kids ready to shake our hands.
“During that visit we also had the chance to tour their butterfly garden. The kids and their teachers had worked very hard to attain the Maryland Green School status, and it was great to realize that the Riderwood quilt club made a major contribution to help them along.”
Gina Riazi, GreenKids naturalist at the school, agrees. “The partnership that Riderwood residents have with the school is critical and makes a tremendous difference in the lives of pre-K through second grade students. The donation from the quilters has allowed the school to continue improving and expanding its butterfly garden,” she says.
Extending helpful hands
The children of East Silver Spring Elementary School aren’t the only ones to recognize Riderwood’s quilters for their efforts. Shortly after the auction, the club received a certificate of recognition from ANS. But like all of Riderwood’s many volunteer groups, the quilters do not rest on their laurels. They continue to use their talents to help those in need throughout the local area.
“Our quilt club is responsive to a number of very worthy organizations,” says Hedin. “One of our first projects was a group quilt for Chrysalis House near Baltimore. Before the end of this year we will have made 25 quilts for Habitat for Humanity, and we have just finished quilted placemats that will be donated to people receiving Meals on Wheels.”
Hedin and members of the quilt club look forward to both continuing their work with GreenKids and supporting other important environmental programs in the future.
“Through our efforts, we were able to produce a quilt, love it through the process, and enjoy the fruits of our labor,” says Allen. “Nothing beats helping kids.”