Off to Raise Money!

Here are two quilts that have left the Hope Chest to raise money for some MHC-worthy causes!



This quilt was made about a year ago by yours truly for the West Michigan Quilt Show-it is called 'Grandmother's Cross'. This quilt will be auctioned off at Silent Observer's yearly fundraiser in September. We are happy to support Silent Observer because they played a major role in the apprehension of one of the girls involved in my grandma's murder.






This second quilt is going to Kimberly. Here is a bit of what she wrote about what she will be doing with this quilt.

"My name is Kimberly and I am writing to ask for support from you and your company. I am in the process of raising money for the Avon Breast Cancer Walk, which will take place in Long Beach, California on September 12th/13th. I will walk 40-miles in 2 days and raise $1,800.00 for the cause. I know that having a breast cancer quilt will raise more awareness to the cause and also touch the hearts of our breast cancer fighters. I would like to donate the quilt to one of our fighters, paying tribute to her courage as she fight this deadly disease. So many women's lives are affected by this deadly disease. My walking 40-miles is a small task compared to the battle that they wage."

Something is Coming....

Something is coming to Margaret's Hope Chest in September.
Although I am not ready to reveal this something yet, I will give you a few hints:
1. It's BIG-really BIG
2. It involves 1000's of squares
3. It will positively impact more than 100 kids in Grand Rapids Michigan
4. Only God knows how we will pull this off!

100!!!

100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

100 beautiful, unique, warm quilts have been given to people all over the country over the last two years-
people like you and me who have needed comfort and HOPE. Join me in praising God for his infinite wisdom and guiding hand in the work of Margaret's Hope Chest.

Let me share with you who we have given the past few quilts to.

Quilt # 97 was delivered to Linda whose 38 year marriage is ending. She needs HOPE to continue being the mother and grandmother she wants to be and to create a new life for herself.

Quilt #98 was delivered to Lynn at the apartment she shares with her husband. Several months ago, Lynn had surgery to correct a problem with her digestion. She spent a longer-than-anticipated time in the hospital and then a stay in rehab before she and her husband could be back home together. Healing has been slower than they had hoped for, so we pray with them and their church friends and family that Lynn can find the patience she needs to wait for a full recovery.
Quilt # 99 This quilt was sent to a young girl named Taylor going through an unsettled domestic situation. It is pieced together with her Great-Grandma's flannel and a lively lime green - a patchwork of God's faithfulness from one generation to another. It is bound with prayers to be wrapped in God's love, bringing HOPE and a future.

And finally.....Quilt #100 was given to Anna. Over the last eleven years, Anna has mourned the death of her son; her husband; her grand-daughter; and just last month, her grand-daughter and month old great-granddaughter who were killed in a car accident. We pray for comfort for Anna and her extended family as they grieve once again. "Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted."

Prayers for the Vedras

Please be in prayer for the Vedra family. A link to their blog in on the right-hand side of this page. Almost two years ago we gave them a quilt for their daughter Ellie who was born with an undetermined genetic disease which left her unable to breathe on her own (among other problems). They have just welcomed a new baby into their family, Hannah, who has what appears to be the same disease as Ellie. As you can imagine, this is devastating for them. I'm not sure what else to share here except that my heart is breaking for this mother and father right now-I had really HOPEd for a healthy child for their family.

Long Time, No Blog

One of the quilts for GRPS


Another quilt for GRPS

The quilt for Linda and Mickey

Once again it appears as if we at MHC have fallen off the face of the blogging earth. While that is somewhat true, don't take the lack of updating for lack of activity-no, we have been busy all summer creating, planning and best of all giving away quilts. My mom and I are downright giddy about the fact that we are quickly approaching our 100th giveaway. Let me highlight some of our most recent ones.
Quilt #88 went to Lara in California. She "won" the quilt in a giveaway that we held on the blog in May. Here is what she had to say, "I wanted to use this quilt to raise money for American Cancer Society's Relay for Life and our team, Mel's Movers, in honor of our dear Auntie Mel who lost a courageous battle with lung cancer a couple of years ago. We put the quilt on the very front of our table and it received so many comments and sold so many tickets....we were so thrilled! We drew a winner at random from the lottery, and she was just ecstatic to win this handmade masterpiece!!!Thank you, Margaret's Hope Chest, for all that you do. The gift of this quilt is something I will carry with me always...and I know the recipient will treasure it forever. What you do and what you are teaching your children with your positivity and gifts of love is so remarkable...and I truly admire you!
Quilt #89 went to Linda and Mickey as they deal with the changes and challenges after Linda was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's. May this quilt be a symbol of hope to them and their family as they face an uncertain future.
Quilts#90, 91, 92, and 93 went to the Grand Rapids Public Schools homeless program. Over 1000 children were served last year by this program. Throughout the year they provide pajamas, underwear, games, books, and backpacks to kids living in area homeless shelters. We hope to be partnering with them in the future and we consider these four quilts to be a down payment of sorts!
Quilts #94, 95 and 96 Lakeshore Pregnancy Center in Allegan