Happy Spring! April was a month of raindrops, and I hope May brings many flowers blooming.

I’ve been asked to explain how we fund the Sierra Mountain Quilter’s Association. SMQA has

one fundraiser to support our guild’s work and activities. It runs for two years, with the Quilt

Show being the highlight where we choose the raffle ticket winner for the Opportunity Quilt.

Thanks to our members’ participation, we were able to survive during and through the COVID

pandemic. Together, in our own spaces, members made face masks for medical, fire, law

enforcement personnel, and family members. We met in parking lots outside, each person

masked, to collect the masks and coordinate delivery to the needed organizations. We were

able to afford a Zoom account to continue holding meetings and keep each other informed and

supported. When we were able to come back to in-person meetings, we were grateful and

excited to begin the work of rebuilding our reserves and continue supporting the community and

each other. If you appreciate the guild, fellow members, and programs offered after the general

business meetings, games, cuddle quilt sewing, guest speakers, hidden gems, ice cream

socials, winter luncheons, and social time, it’s important to finish assembling the Opportunity

Quilt.

That being said, the Opportunity Quilt paper piecing of the units is complete, phew. A couple of

members have sewn four of the 10 units together; the same way we sew our traditional quilts. If

you haven’t had the opportunity to sew a seam on this quilt; I humbly request you to do so

during assembly, which will make this quilt a true SMQA made quilt. A guild cannot rest on its

laurels. We need to work together to show others the talent and commitment of our guild’s

members through this beautiful quilt.

Just wanted to share that I chatted with the Marine Auxiliary commander, and they mentioned

they have six to eight service members ready to contribute to the veterans’ quilts. I think one

circle has already made three quilts to give out at our November meeting. If any guild members

have service members they’d like to honor, they’re welcome to join the presentation. Please let

me know if your circle or you personally are interested in making quilts to gift to our local service

members.

To wrap things up, here’s a little inspiration: “Nothing is impossible, the word itself says ‘I’m possible’.

Audrey Hepburn

Thank you all. Cheers!