Our SMQA Outreach Programs

Discover how SMQA members are making a difference through their generosity, passion and skills in sewing/quilting.
From the Cuddle Quilt Program to the Sew Powerful Purse Project, Veterans Appreciation, Preteen Mentoring, high school scholarships and fundraising for wildfire survivors, their efforts bring warmth, hope, and comfort to those in need.

LA Wildfire Donation - Newsflash!

SMQA members, you stepped up in a big way! 💙 Thanks to your generosity at the February meeting, we raised $750 to support wildfire survivors in Los Angeles!

🔥 $500 to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank
🧸 $250 to Save The Children

Huge thanks to Shirley Savarino & Lisa Kernaghan for leading the charge in the absence of 2nd VP Bev Gulley. Your kindness makes a difference! 🙌

From Sierra Ambulance on Facebook

A HUGE thank you to the Sierra Mountain Quilters Association! Your generosity and talent have truly touched our hearts. The sensory quilts you've created are nothing short of amazing—each one is a beautiful work of art that will make a real difference. We are absolutely beyond grateful for your support and kindness!!!

On behalf of everyone at the Sierra Ambulance team—thank you!

Cuddle Quilt Program

The Cuddle Quilts program provides donations of quilts to local hospitals, agencies and individuals that would benefit from the comfort of a warm & cheerful quilt, handmade by the caring members of the Sierra Mountain Quilters Association.

This charity group was established in 1981. Recipients include Oakhurst Healthcare & Wellness Center, Oakhurst Sheriff’s office, Valley Children’s Hospital, Ronald McDonald house, Helping Hands, Hinds Hospice, and Mountain Crisis Services.

The Cuddle Quilts program has also reached out statewide to provide comfort to victims of wildfires in other parts of California. SMQA awards college scholarships to local high school seniors interested in the fiber arts.

If you would like to participate, you should know that quilt kits and instructions are free! You just supply the thread and the elbow grease. You’ll have the satisfaction of knowing that your finished quilt will have provided warmth and comfort to someone in need.

A spool of Aurifil thread is given to those who turn in 5 cuddle quilt projects. We have also purchased a few 45mm Endurance rotary blades to use as an incentive for making cuddle quilts. So be sure to have your card stamped when you turn in quilts, pillowcases, or wheelchair bags.

For more information about our Cuddle Quilt Program, contact Tricia Lacey.

For several of our patterns, click the black button.

Patterns

Thank You!

Thank you to all the ladies that have helped with the workdays and turned in finished quilts, pillowcases and other items for donation. In 2024 we donated 331 items: 85 Cuddle Quilts, 55 pillowcases, 46 wheelchair bags, 4 isolette covers, 70 Scent Hearts, 50 belly bands and 21 bibs. They were donated to Majestic Mountain Care Center (Oakhurst Healthcare), Valley Children’s Hospital, Hinds Hospice, Fresno County Social Services, Sierra Ambulance, and Cases for Smiles and Helping Hands.

Thank you very much to the ladies that have volunteered to help with Cuddle quilts. The more people we have helping, the less work each one of us must do. If you are still interested in helping this year, please contact me.

We meet at the library anytime between 9am and 1pm, usually the 3rd Thursday of the month. Check the most recent newsletter to confirm. You can either bring your sewing machine and sew a kit or cut out kits. We’d love to have you. If you have any questions, please call me.

Tricia L

Preteen Mentoring Program held at the Oakhurst Library

Sew Powerful Purse Project

The Sew Powerful Purse Project was a big success! Lynn Gray and Sally Walker have headed up the project with a goal of 100 purses sewn by December, 2024 That number was more than surpassed when Sally reported we collected at least 110 purses for the Sew Powerful Purse Project. The purses were displayed on a beautiful Christmas tree and onto the wall behind.