Heavenly stitchers love giving back to the community

Kyle Austin | By Kyle Austin | The Bay City Times
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When Geri Westover agreed to be the de facto leader of the St. Hedwig and Holy Trinity Quilt Club, she wanted to make sure being charitable would be one of the club's main goals.

Now, five years after the club's first meeting, it's continuing to meet that goal.

The club - nicknamed the "Heavenly Stitchers" and based out of St. Hedwig's parish center, 1504 S. Kiesel - typically undertakes two big projects per year. The Stitchers fashion quilts and other handmade garments to donate to various causes. In addition, the group holds a rummage sale every year around Labor Day and a Make-A-Quilt Day, when anyone can come in and make a quilt with the kit provided by the club.

Members of the Heavenly Stitchers are, from left standing, Gahl Thiel, Elaine Strzelecki, Agnes Reder; from left sitting in chairs, Audrey Harrison, Lori O'Shea; and from left sitting on floor, Karen Wozniak, Evelyn McGinnis and Pat Roby.

Earlier this month, the group donated 25 quilts to McLaren Visiting Nurses and Hospices for them to give to youngsters at Camp Fish Tales in Pinconning.

Westover said she set the club up to improve members' quilting skills, increase fellowship among the members and use their skills to give back to the community. The group has grown to 14 members from parishes around Bay City.

"I've told so many people that there's so much need in a city like Bay City, but we don't even realize it," Westover said. "You have to have someone say, 'Can you help us?'"

The club currently is working on preparing Christmas stockings to deliver in care packages to National Guard troops stationed overseas. Having already made over 100, the "Stitchers" plan to have 200 complete by the time the packages are mailed.

Westover answered the following questions for The Times:

Q: What got the club started?

A: Well, the secretary at our church knew I was a quilter and taught quilting and wanted to learn quilting, so she got the bright idea of me leading a quilting group at church. I didn't think there'd be enough ladies to do that, but she pushed forward.

Q: What have the parishioners at St. Hedwig thought about this?

A: Well, actually the parishioners don't know a whole lot about us. Word has gotten out now and they know that we're very active, but I think they're surprised at how many things we do.

Q: What does it feel like when you finish a project and deliver it?

A: Well, we were really proud of ourselves (when we donated quilts to Camp Fish Tales in Pinconning). We really felt a sense of accomplishment because we did 25 quilts and we were still working on another project.

Q: Why did you decide to make Christmas stockings for troops overseas?

A: Last year at the armory, they packed boxes for troops (to send for the holidays). I presented that idea to the ladies and they said, "Well, yeah!" They can fold them on top in the box and bring a touch of home, I hope, for those guys.

Q: What other projects do you have planned at this point?

A: I'm sure we'll find one. I just hope it's not a tragedy. I wouldn't be surprised if God sends something else our way - they just seem to show up.