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ARIZONA GROUP KEEP HOMELESS WARM

© Bea Sheftel

On a recent visit to Arizona I discovered a group who help the homeless by making quilts for them. Originally it was called the Ugly Quilt Group,but that name has changed.

It was called the Ugly Quilt Group because the women used donated fabrics of different colors and designs. There was no effort made to match colors or patterns. The goal was simply to create warm sleeping bags for homeless people. In the beginning it sometimes took several fabrics sewn together to make one long one. They also used old clothing which they cut up.

The club has been a success in this humanitarian effort and their fabric donations have increased. They no longer have to cut up used clothing, but work with long pieces of donated fabric from stores and individuals. Peggy Jayne is the founder of the group. There are 30 men and women who make the no-frills sleeping bags for the homeless.

Even in Arizona, the temperatures dip at night especially from December to February. When I was there it was 40 degrees at night. Anyone sleeping outside would be very cold, but thanks to the sleeping bags made by this group homeless men and women are kept warmer. The gifts of the sleeping bags have traveled beyond Arizona. One man took his to Alaska with him.

The group members know the homeless need spiritual help and physical help. They pray for the people and give them the sleeping bags to keep them warm. The group meets each Tuesday and Thursday morning. Retirees from many different faiths, and states, meet at the Family Social Center at First United Methodist Church. People who vacation in Arizona also have joined the group and come back year after year to participate. The group is open to anyone who wishes to help even if they can't sew.

The sleeping bags are made of four or five-layers of fabric quilted together. The group might use drapes, blankets, mattress covers as well as bolts of donated fabric. The concern is more for thickness and warmth than appearances. That is why it was called the Ugly Quilt Club. After they are finished, the quilts are rolled up and held together by discarded men's ties.

The group goes beyond the bare essentials. They tuck in cloth handbags filled with combs, playing cards, sport shirts, religious booklets, facial tissue and hand-knitted stocking caps.

Since its inception ten years ago, more than 6,000 sleeping bags have been sewn and distributed. These measure 7 by 7 feet. The assemly line method used to create the quilt is very efficient. Several sewing machines buzz while others thread needles, or lay out the fabric on pool tables. The group works cheerfully knowing they are helping someone they don't even know. They want the homeless men and women to know there are people concerned for them, that someone cares.

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