Our Volunteer Work for Ronald McDonald
Small, lap-size quilts made by our members are donated to the Knoxville Ronald McDonald House. The quilts are given to children undergoing treatment for catastrophic illness at area hospitals. We hold a "Sit and Sew" on the last Sunday of each month (some holiday months may be excluded) to piece tops for these quilts. Various techniques are utilized for making easy and quick small quilts. Information about the various quilts we will be working on (along with sample pictures) on any given last Sunday Sit and Sew can be seen on the Ronald McDonald page of our website.
Ronald McDonald House is located in Knoxville at the corner of 17th Street and Clinch Avenue. It is a beautiful old house that was restored and opened in March of 1985 as a home away from home for families who have a child requiring specialized treatment at one of the many great hospitals in the area. Additonal space for families was made available later with the acquisition and renovation of a former bank building beside the original RMDH. The children's need vary greatly. Families of premature babies, children who have been injured, or those requiring treatment for a life threatening illness all have the opportunity to experience the hospitality at Ronald McDonald House. Families are asked, if they can, to make a small nightly contribution. However, no one is turned away for lack of funds. Ronald McDonald House and the Annex can accomodate sixteen families. The bedrooms are equipped with double beds and bunk beds so that the whole family stays in one room. Since opening in 1985 over 37,000 families have stayed in that house.
In 1987 Smoky Mountain Quilters members felt that since we are a nonprofit educational organization, we wanted to reach out to the community and adopting Ronald McDonald House was the result. We provide small quilts, "cuddle quilts," for the children (siblings included as needed) and the house staff distributes them. Sometimes the child is well enough to choose his or her own quilt or as required by the situation, the staff delivers the quilt to the child at the hospital. The quilt is the child's to keep. Since the project's inception, over 1,000 quilts have been taken to the house for disbursement. At Christmas we also provide small gifts (including toiletries, stationary, stamps, snacks, anything to be included in gift baskets) for the parents and siblings who have to spend the holidays away from home.
SMQ treasury buys the supplies and quilters donate their time. Frequently members, and sometimes quilt shops, will also donate materials needed for these quilts. Quilters may work independently or join us for our monthly "Sit and Sew". There are no set rules for the cuddle quilts. The size, pattern and method (pieced, applique, hand, machine) are all the quilters' choice. As beggars, we mustn't be choosey!!!! RMDH is a very casual thing. There are few, if any, rules and no deadlines. Do what you can, when you can. Sit and Sews are carefully planned for ALL skill levels and are a great way to get to know your fellow quilters.