A Quiltapalooza Recap

By Rita Schacherer

Outreach team chair

Given a couple of weeks to reflect on the events of Quiltapalooza, we are humbled and grateful for the help of members of this congregation and our friends in the community. This celebration of 20 years of quilting began with a rummage sale to raise money for shipping quilts and kits. The donations of clothing, home goods, and other kinds of equipment were generous. Workers displayed the merchandise, helped shoppers carry their purchases, boxed, remaining items, and made a donation to The Well of items not sold. Two of our high schoolers created a display of clothing for children and youth. Tables were moved to prepare for the event, by many of our members. A little over $600 was raised. At the conclusion of the event, a small group moved tables into position for Quiltapalooza. That group included a friend of the congregation who came to help with heavy lifting when workers were weary.

The success of Quiltapalooza is the result of the work of many Good Shepherd members who planned, sewed, served food, ran errands, designed and distributed advertising, designed and built a parade float, wrote news  articles, told their own stories, the list goes on…We are truly blessed in this church community to have such a talented and willing congregation, and a church building that accommodates us so well. The outcomes we know include; 
-Increased awareness of our congregation in the community; 

• Many expressions of appreciation by those who participated on the day of the event, and those who are part of the network of quilters and kit makers who work at Good Shepherd on Mondays; 
  
• Many expressions of appreciation for the music provided throughout the event. 
  
• Expressions of thanks for the fun of playing and singing together for those 4 hours
  
• Expressions of thanks called out from the crowd as our float passed through the parade route
  
• Expressions of thanks for the sack lunches paid for with the Outreach Grant
  
• Expressions of thanks from Riverside church for the donation of the 35 leftover sack lunches to homeless folks they are serving.
  

The planning took a few months with meetings and conversations weekly as the vision became a plan. The planning committee met most weeks over those months and included Susan Mayer, Barbara Larson, Pastor Josh, and Rita Schacherer. Barbara Larson headed up the Rummage sale; Susan Mayer headed up the Quilting Event; Carol Adkins designed advertising and the float; Marty Adkins headed up the music event and helped with building the float.  Rita Schacherer coordinated aspects of the events and recruited workers. A friend of the congregation, Dr. Bob Leonard served as a consultant. We are thankful to a loving God for this experience, and for all of you.