Quilt trekking in California

What a wonderful two weeks I had with my Wrap-A-Smile friends in California!  Starting in San Francisco I first visited Pete, Rotaplast Warehouse Manager, who so expertly manages equipment and supplies for Rotaplast missions, and Linda, their Director of Development.   It was great to get updated about their plans for the future which will enable Rotaplast to continue to provide surgeries at no cost for babies and children around the world.

Here is a photo of the tulip quilt which I gave to Pete.  Pete and Linda will make sure that this quilt gets packaged separately so that we can follow its journey. Stay tuned for the story of "The Life of a Quilt" as we document the story of this quilt from its origin to its eventual gifting to a patient.

Next was my visit to Alliance for Smiles.  Director of operations Paul Vazquez and Executive Director Alison Healy discussed their upcoming missions and shared photos of their recent mission to Guatemala:

This little fellow had an extreme tongue-tie that inhibited his speech. So while not a cleft patient, his life was improved dramatically with a very simple surgery. And what a happy camper he was! (You won't be able to watch this without grinning!) 

With permission of its creator, we sometimes auction or raffle a quilt to help support a mission.

ED Alison Healy holding a quilt donated by Monadnock NH Guild to AFS  to auction for their fundraising. 

Then it was out to the Central Valley to visit Valerie E and crew in Stockton. Valerie, a longtime supporter of WAS, has personally delivered hundreds of quilts to Rotaplast, many of which she created.  She shares a long arm machine with Penni who has also made countless quilts for WAS. Val's neighbor Pippa had time on her hands and asked for a role.  She is now quilt binder extraordinaire! Many hands working on one quilt is one of the reasons that WAS quilts are special.  Val has also participated in Rotaplast missions to Peru and Venezuela so she feels a personal connection with every quilt that passes through her hands. 

Penni and Val

Pippa in center with Val

After an interlude at Yosemite with my brother and sister in law, we were back on the quilt trail. Farther south in the Valley, Wrap-A-Smile regional coordinator Charlotte M hosted us in Lemoore. Charlotte and I have enjoyed an online friendship so it was great to meet face to face and swap stories about all the fun we are having with this project. Charlotte makes her own quilts, finishes quilts for others, and then drives them to Alliance for Smiles in San Francisco.  Having been on 4 missions with AFS she knows the joy these quilts bring as they comfort children and their families.

Charlotte in her Sunflower Room, with WAS quilts

Charlotte is also a very active in her Rotary Club.  For you Rotarians out there, here is a quilt to be auctioned this weekend at their annual fundraiser, proceeds to go to Polio Plus.

As I reflect on my time in California I just feel incredibly grateful to have met so many people who are working for the greater good, to make this world a better place!  From the medical teams which provide the volunteer surgeries to all the quilters around the country who contribute to these comfort quilts, I am honored to be part of this project. Thank you to ALL who have contributed (and to all my new friends!)  Goodness abounds!

Yosemite National Park