By Meagan Perle
For Hometown News
BREVARD - Volunteers from throughout the Space Coast will put their talents to good work this month, as part of a unique project, known as Quilters Against Kids Hunger.
The group will gather on July 7, July 21 and Aug. 4 to create quilts to donate to children in transition or those without permanent homes.
The project is sponsored by EduQuilters, Inc., of Satellite Beach, which is made up of a group of quilters committed to sharing their passion for quilting with local children and other quilters.
The project is co-sponsored by the city of Satellite Beach, which donated the use of the Scotty Culp Auditorium in Satellite Beach, where the quilting will take place.
Margie Engel, president of EduQuilters, explained that this community event is a continuation of the same event held last summer.
"Last year, we were all thinking of fundraising ideas and thought, 'We're quilters, we ought to make quilts," Ms. Engel said. "We're trying to reach people we couldn't reach last time."
During the designated meeting times, the quilts will be created in an assembly line, using fabric and materials that were purchased with help from a $1,000 grant, Ms. Engel explained.
Last year, 112 quilts were produced in just one day, she said. This year, the group has a goal of creating a total of 350 quilts.
The quilts will then be donated to families without permanent homes in Brevard County.
Ms. Engel works alongside guidance counselors in various schools in Brevard County, who provide figures for the number of children at their schools, who have families in transition. The quilts will then be delivered to each school and distributed to the students in need.
At least 100 people are expected to lend their time and talent to the event this year, including those who are sewing from home, or who plan to donate already-made quilts.
The project is open to anyone, who has an interest in helping kids in need.
EduQuilters will supply the needed fabric, thread and batting, and participants can come at any time on the designated days, stay as long as they'd like and bring their lunch and sewing machines, if they wish, Ms. Engel said.
EduQuilters will also have machines available on-site for those who do not have their own.
Ms. Engel stressed that the event is really about helping local families in need and that volunteers will be welcome with open arms, whether they sew or not.
"We just want to offer comfort and hope," she said. "That's all."
The meeting times will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., July 7, July 21 and Aug. 4 at the Scotty Culp Auditorium, 565 Cassia Drive, Satellite Beach.
For more information, visit www.eduquilters.org or call (321) 777-5802.