CORNWALL, Ontario – This Wednesday, March 8, local non-profit organization, Cornwall Comfort Quilts hosted an open house in celebration of their exhibition, appropriately titled ‘Someone Who Cares.’
The title of the display originates from the notes enclosed with each quilt produced by the group. Chair, Janice Valade says she felt it was a fitting way to convey the group’s mandate.
With over 40 ladies involved in the organization, the group was thrilled at the opportunity to hold their event in correlation with International Women’s Day.
“All the ladies are here because they want to comfort someone in need," said Daniel Orr, who is part-owner of the quilting space. “It’s really been gripping our hearts, and we’re really happy to be a part of this.”
With statistics showing that one in three Canadians will get cancer in their lifetime, Valade says that unfortunately, Comfort Quilts will likely be at this for a while to come. “We’ve got a lot more work ahead of us,” said Valade.
During the event, the group was recognized for their contribution to cancer patients with an award of appreciation from the Canadian Cancer Society.
“The ladies donate their time and creativity to do this for those affected by cancer,” said Canadian Cancer Society’s Trudy Watt, “There are unfortunately too many in this community.”
In addition to donating quilts, the group has also branched off to repurpose the Cancer Society’s leftover Relay for Life t-shirts for their free wig salon, to be used as wig bags.
“We’ve given quilts out to the patients themselves, and it’s always so rewarding,” said Valade. “There’s usually a tear shed.”
Every quilt is lovingly crafted, and will be on display for the month of March at the Galerie Corrid’Art Gallery in the Centre culturel de Cornwall. While the quilts will all find new homes with cancer patients following the exhibition, the public is encouraged to come out in celebration of this traditional art form.
