Every Thursday morning at Cedarhurst of Tesson Heights in St. Louis, a room fills with the hum of sewing machines. Residents gather to cut, stitch, and finish quilts made from donated fabric scraps, and the finished pieces go to children in the foster care system and veterans at the Jefferson Barracks VA Hospital.
The club began when activities coordinator Glenette Nothum shared her love of quilting with the community. Residents responded by volunteering their time, donating fabric, and bringing in their own machines. Members range from experienced sewers to complete newcomers, and even those who don’t sew find ways to contribute. One member, 81-year-old Doris Lake, recalled telling Glenette she couldn’t sew like that. The answer was simple: come on, everybody. Now she loves her machine.
The veterans who received the quilts sent the group a letter of thanks, a small gesture that meant the world to the members. For these seniors, the project is about staying active and purposeful while meeting real needs close to home. It’s a reminder that a hobby, shared with neighbors, can become something far bigger than anyone expected.
Do you have a skill or hobby you’ve thought about turning into volunteer work here on the Suncoast? Tell us in the comments.
