What a year we had!

Over one thousand one hundred cotton quilts were gifted to Wrap-A-Smile this past year,  sewn and donated by generous quilters from all over our country.  The quilts were labeled, bundled and sent off to both Rotaplast and Alliance for Smiles, with most of those quilts already being at work somewhere in the world.  (See earlier posts on this site for pictures of "quilts in action").

It takes a whole network of caring people to keep this project going: the quilters, the gatherers, the packers, and those who donate funds for shipping expenses.  Without each and every one of you who helped we couldn't have accomplished what we did.  Congratulations and my heartfelt thanks to all of you!

By the numbers, the grand total of WAS quilts since 2001 is now 25, 172!  But remember we are not just counting quilts, we are counting lives changed.  Every quilt shared is now part of a bigger story - the story of the child whose repaired cleft lip will allow them to come out of the shadows, changing the story for their whole family.  The story of the burn victim whose release of their tight scarring gives them new mobility and function, as well as new self-esteem.  Stories of comfort and hope, and the realization that there are people who come from far away to help others.  Never underestimate the international goodwill that is created by volunteer medical missions and partnering groups such as Wrap-A-Smile.

So, my dear friend Terry, I hope you are pleased that WAS continues to fly with the wings that you created.  It has been my sincere pleasure to champion this cause.

                                    Just for fun, here are a few of the quilts that made me smile this year:

Made by Jackie M, Kaleidoscope Guild, Brunswick ME

Made by Calico Quilt Guild, Yarmouth ME

Made by Karen O, Sunshine Online Quilt Guild