For charity, church quilters begin the job at square one

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Members of the Ladies Aide Quilters at Austintown Community Evangelical Covenant Church are, from left to right, Joyce Shood, Vera Orosz, Sue Macias, Esma Elliott, Shirley Dull and Nancy Locke. The group earns money for the church by making and selling quilts and having quilt raffles. They also donate quilts to local charities. Group members say they welcome those who are interested in learning to quilt and they’ll gladly teach them.

AUSTINTOWN

The members of the Ladies Aide Quilters of Austintown Community Church, 242 S. Canfield-Niles Road, have nimble fingers and lots of patience. The group will celebrate 90 years of service this month with a birthday party.

Originally dubbed the Ladies Aide Society, the group was formed March 9, 1922. The purpose was to raise money for the church through various projects, including working in the dining tent at the Canfield Fair and raising money for the church building fund. This made possible the burning of the final note at the dedication of the church in 1924.

Over the years, members have taken up quilting, and today the group of two to six members also earns money by making quilts for others, quilt tops, baby quilts and occasionally having a quilt raffle.

The quilters meet from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesdays in the fireplace room at the church and break for lunch and fellowship. Esma Elliott, a member since 1988, said they get along well because they don’t discuss politics or religion. Member Vera Orosz says that anyone wanting to learn to quilt is welcome.

To finish a queen-size quilt takes about 21/2 months. The group completes about five a year. The baby quilts, which are 3-feet-by-5-feet, are easier. They made 26 last year; and the quilts are available to anyone for $35 each.

The money earned last year from the quilting was donated to the Need Room and utilities of the church, Second Harvest, Salvation Army, the Mineral Ridge Need Room, Rescue Mission, Sojourner House, Veterans of the Cross and Protestant Family Service. A full-size quilt and two baby quilts also were donated to the Rescue Mission.

Members are Elliott, Orosz and Joyce Shood of Austintown Community Church; Sue Macias of St. Joseph Church; Shirley Dull of Mineral Ridge Presbyterian Church; and Nancy Locke of Ellsworth Presbyterian Church. For information call Elliott at 330-799-4759 or Orosz at 330-533-3814.