For the eighth consecutive year, Cunningham Children’s Home will host the Festival of Quilts from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, April 20, and Saturday, April 21, in the Spiritual Life Center on the Cunningham campus in Urbana.
The Festival of Quilts celebrates a tradition at Cunningham; since 1895, every young person who comes to live at Cunningham is given a hand-made quilt to enjoy and treasure forever. The quilts are created by United Methodist Women and other members of the quilting community throughout Illinois.
The Festival includes a quilt show featuring dozens of handcrafted quilts. The exhibit includes a variety of contemporary designs as well as antique quilts, some of which are family heirlooms on loan for the show. Professional quilt judges will award ribbons to the best quilts in various categories. Carolyn Stine of Springfield received the Best of Show ribbon in 2011.
“I enjoy the upbeat atmosphere of the staff, children and volunteers during the show. Of course I appreciate that ultimately the proceeds are benefiting a cause that I feel strongly about,” Stine said. “There is no show that I look forward to more than this one.”
For people interested in purchasing a quilt there will be dozens of quilts available for purchase. The Festival includes a silent auction featuring traditional and contemporary quilts and wall hangings. In addition, there is a Quilt Boutique of cash and carry quilts and wall hangings.
Participants may also purchase home-baked goods in a bake sale and at a gift shop of handcrafted items. Admission is $5 per person, and all proceeds will benefit Cunningham children and youth.
“We are especially excited about our eighth Festival of Quilts,” said Cloydia Larimore, Vice President of Advancement. “The Festival is our signature fundraising event, and we are very grateful to the many quilters who provide quilts for the show and auction because we certainly could not do this event without their support.”
On an annual basis, Cunningham Children’s Home serves over 250 children and adolescents with serious emotional and behavioral disabilities and their families in programs that include Residential Treatment, Foster Care, Independent Living and Therapeutic Special Education. Cunningham Children’s Home is a mission and ministry of the United Methodist Women of the Illinois Great Rivers Conference in partnership with the General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church.