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Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, Ore. Wednesday, December 6, 2017
Valley Girls improve lives
Judy Hoyle
IVN Contributing Writer
The indomitable Valley Girls have completed
another successful year of quilt-making and
fundraising for the youth of the Illinois Valley.
In a presentation on Nov. 27, three non-profit
organizations dedicated to improving the lives of
Illinois Valley youth were each awarded $2,000.
Representatives from I.V. Boys and Girls
Club, the Evergreen Elementary School Life
Skills program and I.V. High School baseball team
received checks for their respective programs.
The funds were raised from raffling the 2017
Opportunity Quilt throughout the year, as well
as silent auction sales and admission fees for the
Valley Girls’ ninth annual quilt show in October.
The presentation took place during a
regularly scheduled Valley Girls meeting at the
I.V. Senior Center. Valley Girls co-founder Carol
Dickson said, “It’s amazing that a nonprofit not
affiliated with a national organization has stood
the test of time. I thank the community and the
small core of ladies who make this all possible. It
says something, too, that when people hear that
proceeds go to benefit kids in the Valley, they’re
very supportive and often donate more toward the
cause.”
The show features all new quilts each year,
games and door prizes and a “country store”
offering quilt kits, magazines, materials and
donated quilts.
About 600 people attended this year’s quilt
show, the second highest attendance after the 2015
show.
Bad weather reduced attendance in 2016.
Over the past nine years, the group has raised
close to $40,000.
“The ladies work really hard all year
long putting quilts together. They use their own
materials, design and time and then to raffle it
off for local youth originations - goes to show
the magnitude of their hearts for our kids and
the community. These ladies don’t get enough
recognition for what they do. As for the money
donated to I.V. Boys & Girls Club, I am always
floored by the amount each year. It’s like
receiving an early Christmas gift! The donation
will go towards buying craft supplies and items
for programs run during Club time,” said Jenna
Larkin, director of the I.V. Boys and Girls Club.
“We couldn’t do this without the support of
the community, Dickson said. “I personally think
raising $6,000 is pretty phenomenal. So many
people have said this is more like an art show than
a quilt show.”
Work has already begun on the opportunity
quilt for 2018, the design of which will include
flowers and a representation of the months of the
year.
According to Verla Beck, Valley Girls show
coordinator, “Requirements for the new grants will
be announced at the first of the year.” The group
will accept grant requests in February for next
year’s awards.
Once selected, rules include the requirement
that members of each youth-focused nonprofit
group assist with setting up and dismantling
the show. Beck said that Jessie Dugas and his
baseball team even helped pass out advertisements
about the quilt show to community businesses this
year.
Dickson said, “It’s just nice to shine a
positive spotlight on the Valley. The recipients
were all appreciative of the funds, and we were
very appreciative of their help with the set up and
take down for the show.”
Considering the October show included 100
quilts, it’s surprising there are only 12 to 14 active
Valley Girls members.
“Any Valley resident can submit a quilt
for the show, Dickson explained. “We put a
notice in the paper in September announcing the
application period and process. Men are welcome,
too. Randy Kent won a starter basket at a previous
show, and he entered that quilt in the 2017 show.”
The group meets the second and fourth
Mondays of the month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at
the I.V. Senior Center.
“Anyone interested is welcome to be a
member of the Valley Girls,” Dickson said, “You
just need to join the Senior Center. We share
techniques and help each other. Anyone interested
in learning to quilt or improving their skills is
welcome.”
Group members also make comfort quilts.
These are lap quilts for fire victims or anyone
going through an emergency situation.
“It’s just a gesture of kindness when the
need arises,” Dickson explained.
The Valley Girls have also made quilts
for the Oregon Caves Chateau, with the goal of
providing a quilt for every bed.
Artisans’ Holiday Faire
7th
An n ual
Sat. & Sun. • Dec. 9 & 10
Sat., 10am - 6pm • Sun., 10am - 3pm
in the Gym at
Lorna Byrne Middle School
102 S. Junction, Cave Junction
Fun for the Whole Family!
• Free Family-Friendly Juried Show
• Live Music • Caroling
• Food Vendors • Unique gifts
Illinois River Valley Arts Council • irvac.com • 541-592-6222
A LL
you cAn eAt breAkfAst
or order off tHe menu
At tHe
IV GrAnGe
FIRST THREE SUNDAYS OF THE MONTH: 8 AM - 12 PM
3763 Holland Loop
541-659-3781 or 541-415-1819