Community Quilts

Learn about the community quilts group

Community Quilts

Other initiatives include quilts for Ambassadors for Children (foster care), the Child Advocacy Center, Ashley House, empower: abilities, Ronald McDonald Houses, Sleep in Heavenly Peace (builds beds for kids without one), Safe to Sleep (an overnight homeless shelter for women), as well as quilts for law enforcement (see Operation Squad Car). Each year, OPQG members make 300-500 small quilts, which Crosslines Community Outreach distributes during their Holiday Toy Store for underprivileged children. One of our doll-size quilts is paired with a doll or plush toy.
  • Take a quilt top to quilt (batting and backing are provided/included)
In 2024, our Community Quilts group created and distributed over 1,500 quilts.
• 464 quilts were made and donated to community organizations, including Sleep in Heavenly Peace, area law enforcement agencies, Ambassadors for Children, the Child Advocacy Center, empower: abilities, Ronald McDonald House, Ashley House, Harmony House, The Kitchen, and a local family that lost their belongings in a house fire.
• 405 baby quilts were made and donated to the Springfield chapter of Newborns in Need. These items are part of a collection given to underserved mothers by Mercy and CoxHealth nurses in the maternity departments.
• 500 doll quilts were made and donated to Crosslines Community Outreach. These were paired with a doll or plush toy as part of the Holiday toy drive for local underserved children in the area. 65 doll quilts were donated to the Salvation Army holiday toy drive.
• 67 specialty quilts were made and donated to local veterans during Quilts of Valor presentation ceremonies.
Annually, OPQG members create and distribute approximately 1,500 quilted items. Would you like to sew for our community nonprofit organizations? Joining OPQG is a great way to get involved in the quilting community. Sewing in our Community Quilts group makes a positive, lasting impact on members of our community who need it most.

Operation Squad Car

We partner with local law enforcement agencies by making quilts (40” x 50”), which officers keep in the trunk of their squad cars until they are needed. Quilts serve as a tangible symbol of comfort and support for children who may be experiencing a traumatic event, such as a home fire, domestic violence, or an accident. This program has provided a wonderful way to build trust between children and law enforcement personnel. Discover the origins of this program by reading about it and watching the accompanying video (click on the image below to be directed to the video on Ky3.com.

News story by KYTV, NBC affiliate in Springfield, Missouri

Baby Quilts

Donation quilts are a huge part of what we do at OPQG. Quilts are made and donated to the Springfield chapter of Newborns in Need and other local children’s charities. The quilts are baby-themed and approximately 36″ square. They are a fast, fun project for anyone who has some time to sew. Our baby quilt volunteers work tirelessly to keep kits handy for anyone to sew but will also welcome your own completed quilt or receiving blanket.

Raffle Quilts

We donate quilts to nonprofit organizations in support of their fundraising efforts. Raffle quilts have been donated to groups, including but not limited to the Soroptimist Club of Springfield, Festival of Sharing, Autism Speaks, the Tooth Truck of Ronald McDonald House Charities, Christian County Family Crisis Center and many others.
We received this photo and thank you note on January 13, 2023.

The girls in this picture are nieces of Ashley J. Ashley sent us the photo and the following story. “Yesterday, we spent hours upon hours at the Child Advocacy Center and they were courageous and strong in a way that they didn’t think they were capable of. When we were finally ready to go, our advocate told us we could pick a blanket and the comfort I could see on their faces as they snuggled their quilts is a moment I will never forget. They were in the darkest of dark places and their new quilts gave them a reprieve that no amount of money can buy. And then I cried when I saw the tag on my quilt that said Ozark Peacemakers Quilt Guild. I’m sure you don’t often get to hear the stories of the way your quilts offer hope and comfort to the kids who walk through those doors, but I want you to know the incredible impact they had on us. The love and care that you put into your quilts and the kindness that you showed in donating them blessed us more than you can ever know. Thank you so much; I am forever grateful.”

 

 

Examples of Squad Car and Baby Quilts Made for the OPQG Community Quilts Initiative are Below.