This is my last message as your president, and I don’t know where to start – or leave for that matter. Do I begin by thanking the 41 committee chairs who have done so much to make this Guild run? You are all so special and each one of you has become a friend if you weren’t already! Hopefully, you will all stand tall behind Pam, and keep on keepin’ on! Getting involved with this Guild can do amazing things – in a good way – to your social life, to your sense of belonging, and to provide new sources for both support and inspiration. Don’t you think the old saying about how wonderful quilters are is true? We are a special breed, no doubt about it.
I was so proud to see the generosity of the Guild in high display at our December meeting. We gave away fifty quilts to Precious Life, a great group in Los Alamitos who provides support to homeless pregnant women, mostly teens. They help these women in so many ways – with housing, medical, finishing high school education, job skills, getting on their own feet and importantly -love. They will help until the child is 24 months. And each woman leaves with a quilt from us! Thanks came to us from Theresa Murphy who came to the meeting and dragged away two huge bags with our philanthropy efforts inside.
And the Marines were laden down with toys, cash and gift cards and good wishes too. We sent them to their Camp Pendleton party, ready to equip Santa with wonderful gifts for more than a hundred children. OGQG was generous and I was touched again by what a generous group we are.
It’s a rush as I write this to get everything done for Christmas, and I look forward to the New Year. I can revel in being “past” (but not forgotten I hope!) and find time to get caught up with stuff that sat in the cupboard ‘til my duties were over. I am looking forward to a new year with great speakers and workshops, fun activities like the UFO challenge and being in the audience -not on the stage!!
Thanks to all of you for support over the past two years, and for helping this Guild be the very best – as I truly believe we are. Happy New Year!
Mary Stockard