GRASS VALLEY, Calif. January 24, 2020 – The Peacemakers local quilting group recently donated 63 quilts to Shriners Hospitals for Children-Northern California. It took two cars to deliver the cozy and colorful quilts to the hospital in Sacramento. The quilts had been blessed by the Peace Lutheran Church congregation before their delivery.

Peacemakers members, from left, Ann Campbell, Ginni DeThomas and Marilyn Engelking arrive at Shriners Hospitals for Children-Northern California, in Sacramento, with 63 quilts made by the industrious quilting group, which meets weekly at Peace Lutheran Church in Grass Valley. Photo by Carrie McDowell

            Peacemakers is a vibrant group of quilters that meets each week at Peace Lutheran Church in Grass Valley. Participants range from novice to pro. Membership at Peace is not a requirement, nor is previous experience as a quilter, to join this industrious group. Participants have met for years to make and provide quilts to those in need or for special gifts. In 2019 alone, Peacemakers made more than 200 quilts. 

            In years past, longtime Peace Lutheran Church member Olga Thorson regularly and generously donated to Peacemakers specifically for gifting quilts to Shriners Hospital. With the loss of Thorson in 2019 at the age of 102, Peacemakers wished to continue this tradition in her memory.

Quilts created by members of Peacemakers quilting group are displayed in the Peace Lutheran Church, Grass Valley, sanctuary as they await a blessing by the congregation before being delivered to Shriners Hospitals for Children-Northern California, in Sacramento. Photo by Trina Kleist

The group relies on the donation of funds and cotton fabric. In particular, Peacemakers needs printed fabric suitable for children. Quilts also are available for sale. Members welcome the community’s support so they can continue to donate to Shriners and other local organizations in Thorson’s spirit of giving. To help or for more information, please contact the church office at (530) 273-9631.

Shriners Hospital in Sacramento is a regional pediatric medical center providing highly specialized care and rehabilitation. Its young patients receive care for congenital conditions and complex medical needs regardless of the families’ ability to pay. When Peacemakers arrived to deliver their beautiful quilts, they discovered that the two volunteers at the Shriners donation counter also were quilters. The volunteers showed delight and appreciation for the mounds of quilts rolled into the facility in borrowed wagons.

            For more about Peacemakers, visit www.PeaceLutheranGV.org or call (530) 273-9631.