Rosalie's Volunteers make Quilts for Kids with Cancer

Rosalie Kelly Gonzalez is a member of the Class of 1960 from Sweetwater High School in National City, California. The Class of '60 celebrates its 50th Reunion in 2010, and Rosie is going to be there! She's never been to a class reunion before, but says this time she is going.

Rosie owns a quilt making supplies shop. She and her friends combine the simple joys of quilt making with charity as each year they make and contribute 300-350 quilts to children diagnosed with cancer. Cancer strikes all ages and Rosie's quilts are given to cancer victims as something to wrap themselves inside, and, like Hope, something to hang on to.

Once a month a team of volunteers gathers at Rosie's Calico Cupboard to work on the quilts. They choose from scraps of materials donated by Rosie's suppliers, and what they cannot finish that afternoon they take home.

When the quilt tops are finished they are sent to another team of volunteers who have special "long arm" sewing machines. The "long arm" volunteers sew the "batting" and the back to the "pieced" front of the quilt, then send it back again to Rosie's for trimming and binding.

Quilts are given to every child that attends the American Cancer Society's Reach for the Sky Camps in Balboa Park, San Diego, or in Julian, California. Other quilts are given to children the first time they are admitted to Childrens' Hospital, and still others, "Pink Ribbon quilts" are given to women diagnosed with breast cancer.

Rosie tells her volunteers to "give from the heart without expectation of recognition." There will be silent thanks, to be sure, but a true gift, she says, is one that comes from the heart.

If you would like to join Rosie's quilt making volunteers, call Rosie's Calico Cupboard at 619-697-1819. The shop is located at 7151 El Cajon Blvd. Rosie will be glad to hear from you.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Rosie
• Cancer
• Kids
• Quilts
• Volunteers
• Reach
• for
• the
• Sky
• Camp
• American
• Society

[bbonert71]

As a 10 year CR4TS volunteer, I have to say that the quilts are a wonderful part of the week each and ever year. Thank you Rosie and to all of your volunteers. Camp just wouldn't be camp without a quilt to wrap around you!

[MualimMom]

My son was diagnosed with Leukemia ALL - T-Cell in 2003 and he and his sister have been going to the camps for years and every year their favorite part is picking out their quilts. We love to cuddle in them when we snuggle together to watch movies. THANK YOU for being you and making these special quilts. xox

[thatgonzalezgirl]

Mom I am so proud of you! xoxo