The Christmas Project began in 2010 when Mary Lou O’Phelan received a load of unfinished Christmas quilt blocks from Patty Bartkowski at the Cape Coral Quilt Guild. That year, 22 Christmas quilts were donated to Hope Hospice. The following year, many members of the Guild joined in, allowing the group to donate 57 Christmas quilts. In 2012 Mary Lou O’Phelan and Marcia Denning decided to start a Quilt Club at the Sandoval clubhouse, to meet once a week. That year, special kits were made for those who wanted to participate in the Christmas project. The Club donated a total of 76 quilts at a special luncheon event – which has since become a tradition of the Sandoval Quilt Club.
The group now meets twice a month to enjoy the process of quilting, and every year they are able to donate more quilts. This year, Sandoval Quilt Club members donated 120 Christmas quilts to be distributed to homebound Hope Hospice recipients. These quilts are made with love, and every member has contributed in some way to make the project a success. Others from the Cape Coral Quilt Guild have also contributed to the cause – resulting in a large number of quilts and a festive event! Special thanks also goes to volunteers Carol Rose, Mary Ann McCarthy, and Sandy Nelson for their effort and dedication.
