“There’s nothing more comfortable than a quilt.”
Jo Gosset of the Clinton Quilters group knows this better than most. She is one of a group of dedicated quilters who meet every Wednesday at the Clintonseniors' Centre (217 Smith Avenue) to create quilts in the company of other crafters, and when she read an appeal on behalf of residents of Venables Valley she reached out.
The Saranagati Village community in Venables Valley south of Ashcroft was badly hit by the Shetland Creek wildfire, which swept through the village on July 17. At least 20 structures were destroyed, including six permanent residences, whose occupants lost everything.
Gosset says that Venables Valley resident Nandini Villeneuve posted on Facebook on Aug. 1 about a GoFundMe to help with the rebuilding of the community.
“I reached out to her and said we had no money, but that our group would be interested in donating quilts to those who lost their homes. I asked how many would be needed, and the age of the people.”
There are about five people who meet for the Clinton Quilters group every week, and another half-dozen who Gosset describes as “pretty regular” (“But we’d like to get more drop-ins”). Gosset also reached out to the Log Cabin Quilters group in Interlakes about the project.
The result was 14 new quilts in a variety of patterns and sizes, all made from scratch. “Some were already in production, and some were made specifically to donate,” explains Gosset. “Nandini said there were two kids, four adults, and two seniors, because we do different quilts for different ages.
“I asked if anyone was expecting, and she said two women were, so we added two baby quilts, then added some extra ones and said they could give them to whoever needed them.”
Gosset says that, depending on the quilt and who is making it, they can be created in as little as two or three days. The Clinton Quilters have people who give them bags of fabric, and have received grants from organizations like Community Futures and Integris Credit Union, which helps with purchasing materials.
“We’ve always donated quilts to Victim Services through the RCMP. We drop off eight to a dozen at the Clinton RCMP detachment, and say ‘If you run out, let us know.’”
Gosset acknowledges the comfort that a quilt can give to someone.
“It’s like a comfortable hug to them, something they can hold on to. It’s a feeling you get, and you can say ‘This is mine.’
“And we’ve all been touched by fire in one way or another. In 2009, fire came within 50 feet of my house. We all understand how devastating fire is,. We’re just a small group, but we thought we could help.”
For more information about the Clinton Quilters, email godspocket@msn.com. To make a donation to help rebuilding efforts in Venables Valley, you can send an e-transfer to vvwildfirerelief@gmail.com or send a cheque to Venables Valley Wildfire Relief Fund, P.O. Box 99, Ashcroft, B.C. V0K 1A0.
