With award-winning amenities spanning its 210 beautifully landscaped acres, Residents of Willow Valley Communities are used to having their calendars filled. A 500-seat performing arts theater and art galleries provide culture. Hundreds of classes, clubs, groups, and entertainment options are scheduled every day. Twelve culinary venues satisfy every palate. Along with the Aquatics and Fitness Centers, an outdoor pool and tennis courts, golf simulator, bowling alleys, and vintage arcade, our 2,400 Residents always have something to do.
However, because of COVID-19, things slowed down quite a bit. But that didn’t mean Willow Valley Communities Residents slowed down. In true Life Lived Forward fashion, Residents channeled their time and their energies into good causes, positivity, and completing projects long put on hold.
Here is the story of The Willow Valley Communities Quilt Guild.
The Willow Valley Communities Quilt Guild has been very busy during COVID-19. In March, the Guild was asked if the group could make masks for Willow Valley Communities Team Members and Residents. The Guild was more than happy to help. A CDC-compliant mask pattern was found, and the quilters got started. In the first ten days alone, 650 masks were made.
In May, the new president of the Quilt Guild, Jean Harris, continued to rally the Guild in its efforts to make as many masks as possible for Willow Valley Communities.
“We were so happy to do it,” said Jean. She explained that members of the Quilt Guild, as well as all quilters, typically have plenty of extra fabric around. All they needed was the elastic, which was purchased by Willow Valley Communities. Then they got right to work.
And work they did. About 25 members of the Guild were able to complete a total of over 2,500 masks, which were distributed to Willow Valley Communities’ Team Members and Residents during the pandemic. And the Guild is still busy making them. Jean said the members have purchased even more fabric and elastic, including festive holiday patterns. “You might as well make it fun,” she added.
The Guild is also busy with their other projects, including making regular contributions to Project Linus. Project Linus, named after the character in Peanuts, provides homemade blankets and quilts to children, families, and individuals impacted by homelessness, disaster, trauma, sickness, and other crisis situations. To coordinate their projects, the Guild has continued to hold their regularly scheduled meetings via the online software platform Zoom.
But don’t worry about the quilters working too hard. Jean said it is a complete joy to stay in all day and sew. “Plus,” she chuckled, “dinner is always prepared by Willow Valley Communities, so why not?”
