Published February 1, 2024
By Michele Miller
What’s What New Port Richey
It’s a weekly ritual. A Monday morning gathering where a patchwork of women from varied walks of life tend to one project or another in a donated space at the Contractors Institute in Hudson. They are busy bees, especially these days. Time is of the essence after all with preparations in high gear for the West Pasco Quilters’ Guilds’ “Sew Many Quilts – Pocketful of Sunshine” Show to be held February 16-18 at three locations in downtown New Port Richey.
The group that meets here is one of several offshoots of the wider guild that boasts about 278 members and holds monthly meetings at the NPR Recreation & Aquatic Center Center. The rec center also serves as a makeshift home for the guild’s show which is held every two years as a major fundraiser and celebration of the art that draws thousands of enthusiasts from throughout the state and beyond.
The more active members often branch out to serve on committees or work in several smaller groups. They meet at the local library, church hall, area rec centers, members’ homes, and more than a few including a children’s group that gathers at the Contractors Institute.
The workroom there is affectionately dubbed, “The Henhouse” by its members and to be sure, there’s some shenanigans and a lot of lighthearted banter going on.
The space is well equipped with sewing machines and work tables, reams of colorful material, and supplies that have been donated by members of the community to be whipped into something special and comforting for someone out there – often a child in need.
Elaine Plourde and Carol Buonomo are the defacto leaders of anywhere from a handful to a dozen guild members who meet from 9 a.m. to about 2 p.m. each Monday.
Photo | Michele Miller
“Everyone has a skill. We all work at different levels,’ Elaine said as Carol and others brought forth examples of items that will be featured at the show – quilts, patriotic welcome signs, stuffed animals, themed gift baskets for the “Basket Walk”, a rather fun bouncy ball that’s been a hit with the grandkids and a swag bag with material and sewing supplies for the 25 children who have already entered their quilted creations in the upcoming show.
Their participation is especially important for the non-profit with a mission statement to provide “charity within our community and quality education to the public about quilts and quilt making.“
“We all help each other,” said Colleen Beckett as she displayed a recent collaboration – a fish quilt she constructed with fellow member, Genie Betts.
The weekly gatherings have proved to be a welcoming haven for sewers of varied skills such as newbie Beth Kincey who got her first sewing machine in June of 2023 and Kim Smith who has been sewing since she was a kid and joined to fill time and a yearning to give after years spent caring for her late mother and her husband.
“I absolutely love it,” Kim said. “We do so much for charity. It’s just so rewarding.”
“We do a lot for charity but we have a lot of fun doing it,” Elaine said.
“When you become a member of our guild it’s about participation and we have the general philosophy that women need women,” said Rhonda Koning, who serves as chair for the 2024 Quilt Show along with Janie Franco and Rose Ann Verheyen.
She and her husband Bob are owners of the Contractors Institute, a leading provider of educational services to contractors and workers in the construction industry in the state of Florida. The couple is happy to donate the space, but are also keen on finding a permanent home for the guild, said Rhonda, who was one of several to speak in favor of the city’s newly acquired Schwettman becoming a cultural center at a recent City Council meeting.
“It’s a place to be creative and to be with other like-minded people in giving back to the community,” said Rhonda, adding that donating the workroom was a way to support an organization that just over the winter holidays donated 500 quilts along with pillowcases, stockings and “wish list” toys and gifts.
“When you run a business and you can work with a non-profit to help the community – what better blessing is that?”
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Whatever the West Pasco Quilters’ Guild raises is funneled directly back into the community – whether it be donations of quilts and clothing, food, funds and scholarships, said guild president, Pam King.
“We’ve really ramped up the charity end of this over the last 10 years. We’ve probably contributed over $300,000 of quilts and scholarships over the years,” she said noting that the group has garnered a fair share of local sponsors for this year’s show and those funds will directly benefit the scholarship fund.
The Guild’s reach has stretched to an extensive list of local non-profits such as Kids First, A.F.I. Longitude 82 W Honor Flight of Pasco County, NAMI, The Angelus, Salvation Army Domestic Violence Program, RAP House Youth Center, Habitat for Humanity, The African American Club of Pasco, and the HOPE Youth Ranch of Hudson – just to name a few.
Add to that the over 70 schools and organizations to which the guild donated funds, quilts and other hand-made items including layets – bibs, quilts, changing pads, and burp pads – for clients of S.O.L.V.E. or the Pasco Schools’ Cyesis Program for teen parents. (Check out the complete list here)
Sample of quilts created by members of the West Pasco Quilters’ Guild
The guild is presently selling tickets for the show’s 2024 Opportunity Quilt with 100% of the proceeds going to this year’s designated charity, The ToyMakers, an area non-profit made up of volunteers who create wooden toys for children who are ill or in need.
Some 80 red, white and blue Quilts of Valor will also be donated through the show following the criteria for the national program that honors and seeks to offer comfort to service members and veterans touched by war, Pam King said.
“When we make these quilts, when we give them out we are wrapping them in love.”
If You Go
The West Pasco Quilter’s Guild’s “Pocketful of Sunshine – Sew Many Quilts 2024” will be held February 17, 17 and 18th in New Port Richey | $10 Suggested Donation
The main event will be held at the NPR Recreation and Aquatic Center and features some 400 quilts on display, a variety of contests, a boutique, lectures, and vendors of various sorts. The West Pasco Historical Society will also host an Antique Quilt Show at Peace Hall in Sims Park. Two Churches – the Congregational Church of Christ and the NPR Methodist Church – are hosting Sanctuary Displays. The West Pasco Art Guild will also be featuring an artistic Quilt Show, featuring smaller quilts that can be hung for display in their gallery. For more information go to the Guild’s website at westpascoquilters.org or visit the group’s FB page here.
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