Doris Toews shows off a Victoria's Quilt

A lady from Steinbach is part of an organization spreading comfort to people touched by cancer.  Doris Toews was at Ten Thousand Villages Saturday.  "Victoria's Quilts is a national charity and we make quilts for people who have been diagnosed with cancer.  I've been involved with Victoria's Quilts by early 2008.  By fall of '08 we had the chapter organized and up and running with women coming to meetings.  By January of '09 we got our first request, in 2009 we made 47 quilts, in 2010 we made 94 and this year to date we have 125 requests."

19 women are registered members of the group but she says there are many more who bring in the occasional quilts.  "There's probably about 40 people in this area that are actively involved in helping out."

She explains the quilts are called lap quilts.  "But they are very generous in size.  The top is made from 100% cotton, the middle and the part that keeps you warm is 80/20 cotton/poly batting and the back is flannel.  They are made purposely to be lightweight so they irritate sensitive skin and they are made to be warm so the skin can breathe under the quilt."

Toews is quick to note these quilts are a gift and there is no cost to the requester or recipient.  "As a result we need to raise funds and that was the reason for being here today.  We are raising awareness of what we are doing and to advertise our quilt show and sale that we are having at Steinbach 55+ on November 18 and 19."



She adds this is mainly a brag time for the women who make these quilts.  "There will be lots of quilts on display.  Not just Victoria's Quilts but there will be some.  There will also be a quilter's challenge with a panel of judges."

Toews says making these quilts is totally a gift of the heart.  "A gift of the abilities.  We are all addicted to quilting, but we can now do something that we absolutely love and know that it's going to a valuable purpose."

She relates response from the recipients is amazing.  "One lady said it really well when she sent me a card last summer.  She said 'When you bring comfort to a person diagnosed with cancer, you bring comfort to their family as well.'  And I think that is what we are really doing.  We are trying to let them know they are not alone in their struggle and that we are cheering for them."

Toews add there is also a personal gain for giving away these quilts.  "It feels rewarding.  For years I prayed that God would give me something significant to do, something that would touch people's hearts and touch people's lives in a positive way.  And then He gave me Victoria's Quilts.  I feel what we are doing is just an answer to prayer, it's a way of feeling you are contributing to society."

Meanwhile Ten Thousand Villages Manager Darlene Reimer says opening up her store to other community groups is a good idea.  "We just feel that we want to do as much as we can for the developing countries but we want to also partner with our neighbours.  Next week we have Mark Reimer coming in with his scarves for Ecuador.  Mark is sponsoring students to come in to Steinbach to go to school here.  He's taken two groups from the Steinbach Regional to Ecuador to work with them and is trying to help them as much as he can."