Fran Kempton, a retired nurse and Knox County Quilt Guild member, initially made a quilt for her sister, who lived at the Ohio Eastern Star Home. According to Knox Pages, that gesture expanded into a year-long guild charity project that provided handmade quilts to 65 OESH residents.
The guild presented the quilts on Sept. 14 during a meeting in the OES Community Room. Members displayed all 65 beforehand, gave quilts to five guest residents representing four long-term care neighborhoods, and then let other long-term care residents choose one. Knox Pages reports that more than 40 guild members shared a meal before the presentation; President Bonnie Yarman opened the meeting and Kim White led prayer. Kempton credited Robin Jordan of Thread White and Blue Quilting Studio, Susan Zurc and Kim White’s Sew Blessed ministry for contributions.
Knox Pages reports the guild has more than 80 members and unanimously approved the project. Marci Thomas, OESH director of Life Enrichment, supported it and helped coordinate facility, staff and resident needs, according to the article. Diane L. Henwood, who directs Pine Hill Independent Living, said OESH was founded in 1951, opened to the public in 1997 and was marking its 75th anniversary at the time. She said the home’s Faith is the Fabric theme tied into the quilt effort. The guild meets on the second Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at The Barn on the Mount Vernon Nazarene University campus.