The Glade Quilters weave caring into community craft circle

Since 2001, a group of local women has been supporting the Delaware community by creating and donating comfort in the form of individually designed quilts.

Residents of The Glade in Rehoboth Beach meet weekly at their clubhouse to participate in a project that has resulted in donations of more than 2,500 quilts. Recipients include patients of Bayhealth Medical, the Ronald McDonald House in Dover, Sussex County Women’s Shelter, the Retired Veterans’ Home, Little Sisters of the Poor, Harbor Healthcare, the Cancer Support Community, Kody’s Kids, Cape Henlopen Senior Center, and the Rehoboth Community Center’s Baby Pantry.

The group has also contributed quilts to organizations collecting items for victims of natural disasters and to holiday programs including Stockings for Soldiers and Cookies for the Military.

In addition, the women create quilts for their neighbors in The Glade after new births, during illnesses, and following deaths of family members.

The group has evolved over time from an impromptu effort to provide community support through Glade Quilts for Kids to its current mission, known since 2004 as The Glade Quilters. Members have a dedicated workspace in the clubhouse including storage shelves, cutting tables, sewing machines, and a counter for their shared weekly coffee and breakfast treats.

The quilters practice a variety of skills, from design of quilt tops through the packaging and delivery of completed projects. Quilters’ spouses and partners have built worktables, helped with pickup and delivery, and shared their energy and dedication to the project.

Quilters pay membership dues to purchase materials for the work. They also accept donations of funds and fabric. To visit a meeting or make a donation, call Terry at 302-228-1462.