Special something to feel quilty about
The little girl caregiver Emma Katuke looks after is one of 40 toddlers and babies staying warm this winter thanks to the Auckland Quilters Guild.
It has donated handmade quilts to Auckland Child, Youth and Family.
‘‘We like to feel that we are making a difference,’’ guild convener Catherine MacKenzie-Simpson says.
‘‘Children are very special to us all and we would like them to know that there are people who care for them.’’
She presented the 40 quilts to Child, Youth and Family at the Freemans Bay Community Centre. More than 250 of the 500 guild members attended the meeting to see first-hand where their hard work was going.
Child, Youth and Family caregiver social worker Timena Kiria says it was a special day.
‘‘Those quilts would have taken a lot of hours to make and were made with love.’’
Many of the children CYF works with don’t have a lot of belongings so something like a handmade quilt is significant for them, Ms Kiria says.
‘‘Their caregivers can tell them the story of the people who made them especially for them.’’
Guild members donated 178 quilts last year and hope to exceed that this year.
As well as CYF, they’ve already given 107 to places such as the West Auckland Hospice, Shakti Community Council, Pillars (a charity for children of prisoners) and people in the community such as a young man with bone cancer and families who lose everything in a fire.
‘‘We want the quilts we make to be used,’’ Ms MacKenzie-Simpson says.
‘‘We like to think that they impart a little bit of love, care and warmth.’’
Up to seven people are involved in each quilt.
‘‘It was a new experience for me and for the caregiver; she felt really special to be involved and it was wonderful to bring the little one along,’’ Ms Kiria says. ‘‘Child, Youth and Family is always looking for ways to connect with the community and provide community based support for our caregivers and the children in care.’’