Local church donating hundreds of homemade quilts

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Story Published: May 7, 2009 at 4:10 PM MST

Story Updated: May 7, 2009 at 5:18 PM MST

By Wes Horrocks

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AMERICAN FALLS - A local church will soon donate hundreds of handmade quilts to hospitals, and other groups in order to comfort those who need some help.

And the women behind the service project love every minute of hard work that it takes.

St. John's Lutheran Church in American Falls looks normal on the outside. But every spring the pews inside take on a new look. Patty Porath, a quilter said, "It's always been a program the ladies of our church have done."

Jon Beake, St. John's Lutheran Church Pastor added, "It's a great outreach, and it's amazing how many they do."

This year there are 217 quilts, beating last year's 200.

On Monday they'll be sent to the Hope House in Marsing, Idaho, the University of Utah Hospital Burn Unit in Salt Lake, and Lutheran World Relief to be given out to people involved in disasters. Porath said, "I always watch the news in a disaster and see that the first comfort is the comfort of a blanket."

But these quilts will not only provide warmth and comfort for those that receive them. It's also a chance for church members to get together and to build their relationships. Beake said, "Instead of just giving money in an offering plate, there is time and talents given that way. They're able to sew, they're able to tie, they come together, and it's a good fellowship."

From January to March, 14 women spent every Monday putting the quilts together.

That's more than 1,000 hours of work. Porath said, "You never want to not show up because you'll miss a really good time."

And the project isn't over. Plans are already in the works to get batting, and fabric together for next year's quilts.

And the goal? "We're going for more and more because it's fun," said Porath.

All of the quilts will be blessed before leaving St. John's Lutheran Church.

If you'd like one for yourself they are accepting donations.

For contact information just click on Newslinks.

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