Quilt auction profits on rise

—Best year in at least last two for RHSHC Hospital Auxiliary
CRESCO - It was another stellar year for Regional Health Services of Howard County Hospital Auxiliary’s Quilt Auction. There were about 100 quilts and related items donated, which raised over $35,500 for this year’s project, which is to purchase items for the Obstetric Department.
Sue Heimerdinger, Marketing Coordinator/ Community Relations, said the amount raised for the 41st annual event beat out the prior two years. For 2017, $32,600 was donated, and in 2016, $33,000 was raised at the auction. The total amount given over the years exceeds $683,000!   
The most expensive quilt was purchased for $4,200. It was donated by Notre Dame Catholic Church. The Maple Cabin pattern was sewn by Jill Ryan and Margaret Ward and quilted by Connie Zahasky.
The quilt auction is a staple of Howard County as it brings out the best in those making quilts and those purchasing them!
Heimerdinger said each year, some of the same folks quilt something and new crafters step up.
Local churches, confirmation students, banks and area businesses donate every single year to the auction.
All the quilts are works of love by those who donate them because of the time and hard work that goes into making them.
“We have quilt donations shipped to us from as far away as California for the auction,” she said. Some of the quilts are given in memory of a loved one or made as projects, such as the one made by Luke Ishman as an Eagle Scout Project. It was donated by Troop 261.
One proud grandma, Kathy Malek, even quilts with her grandchildren, who turned in a lovely piece by The Meirick Munchkins!
Prior to the bidding, Dr. Jensen explained the proceeds were going toward an OB services package. In addition, Robin Schluter, CEO of RHSHC, welcomed the crowd.
A surprise guest was Sen. Joni Ernst, who stopped at the Harvest Tent to speak with the crowd, as one of the stops on her 99-county tour. “My grandmother did hand-quilting, and my mother still does. Me, I’m a machine quilter. I hope you are donating a lot because a lot of work goes into these quilts.”
As it takes hard work to make the quilts, it also takes some finesse to get the highest amount from the items at the auction. That job is done by the auctioneers who donate their time to the event. Helping this year were Danny Donlan, Wayne Mlady, Dan Hershberger, Samuel Hershberger and Ray Dietz. Brady Norman was a ringman.
Heimerdinger said, “The quilt auction is always so much fun! So many are generous year after year. We are so grateful for that. The support is amazing!”
Schluter added, “It was a tremendous quilt auction this year. The support of our Auxiliary, the artisans and our community is always amazing. What appears to take place in an afternoon takes a full year of planning, quilting and volunteer time. From quilting circles and churches to Eagle Scout and service projects, the support spans all corners and generations of our community. This year all of the generosity will benefit our moms and babies at RHSHC. We at Regional Health Services of Howard County are proud to serve our friends, neighbors and community.”
Whether the projects are big or small, they all add up to enough money to help 
Some of this may have been the weather, which was beautiful on Sept. 22. The past two years, attendees were threatened with floods and storms. No matter if the weather is good or bad, the tent is always filled with aggressive bidders who want to support the local hospital.

Cresco Times

Phone: 563-547-3601
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Cresco, IA 52136

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