Published: December 30, 2008 10:38 am      

Common Threads donates quilt to storm victim

A Collinsville Elementary teacher and her husband who lost their home in a rare December wind storm recently received a gift to protect them from the cold — a handmade quilt.

Cynthia Munoz, treasurer for the Common Threads Quilt Guild, said the quilt is one of many the organization has handed out to disaster survivors over the years.

“Our guild donates “911 Quilts” to local people whose homes have been destroyed by fire, flood or other natural disasters,” she said.

Munoz is also a Collinsville resident. She said when some members of the guild heard about that teacher Kathy Patterson’s house was virtually torn apart by high winds, they decided to give the Pattersons one of their quilts.

The damage to the Patterson’s home was apparently extensive.

“They live out in the country,” Munoz said. “Their roof was torn off and the brick around the house is crumbling. They also have barns and other buildings that were damaged.”

Munoz said Common Threads has a supply of quilts waiting to be handed out to those who need them.

“We have 10 or 12 (quilts) held in reserve to give to people,” she said.

Common Threads also holds workshops from time to time.

“We get together and work on them (the quilts). We also have an official in our guild who is in charge of community services such as the quilt project,” she noted.

The guild finishes some quilt projects begun by others.

“The (quilt) top might be donated by somebody who’s heard about what we do or a guild member could donate the material. We have different options. We also made quilts for the local CASA,” she said.

CASA quilts go to children who are in the state’s child protective services program, she added.

The guild also handed out quilts during the 2007 Gainesville flood and to victims of natural disasters such as Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Munoz said Common Threads is always looking for new members. The guild has a lot to offer them, she said.

“We’re non-profit organization. We do a lot of community service projects,” she said.

President Pam Black said the group meets on the second Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at Whaley United Methodist Church on Rosedale Drive.

She also has a specific goal for her organization.

“My goal for this year is to build the guild. We’d like to double the size of our guild,” Black said.

Quilting is a timeless art that places artisans together for both work and fellowship, she said.

“Anybody who wants to come is welcome to come see what’s it’s all about,” she said.