How did we get to February so fast? It seems fitting in this month of 'love' that we begin work on donation quilts for the various agencies we give to. Requests for fund raising quilts for already being received. If you missed the January meeting, you will be happy to know that a quilt do- nated to the Chico Library for a raffle raised over $1,000 (yes, that is three zeros!) for the children's book section.

Community Service Sew Days will begin in February. After checking with the Honey Run staff, SEW DAYS have been scheduled for the 4th Thurs- days of each month through June. Unless there are conflicts, We will con- tinue through the fall with the same schedule. The work day is also a so- cial day as we have a good time getting better acquainted with members of the guild. We meet at the Honey Run classroom to work on quilts for our various recipients. Many UFO's are donated to community service which make up some of the projects and others are a group effort to complete a top. An example is the "one color-way" quilts that have turned out so lovely in the past. With a mix of squares from the CS stash and some from your scrap box, a number of quilt tops can be made in a short period of time.

Sew Days are not for community service committee members only. All members are invited to join in as "many hands make light work" Sewing sessions are scheduled for 10:00 to 4:00. Bring your machine and sewing tools and a lunch. You are also invited to enjoy the various goodies that appear on the snack table.

As a beginning project, many pink and light blue squares (for girl quilts) and navy blue and tan (for boys) have been cut and will be available to work on at the February 25th session. Check your scrap box and cut 4" squares to donate to those from CS. If you prefer, you can bring any other CS quilt you want to work on. Check with Sydney Dickson if you have questions.

ABOUT ANNIE'S STAR QUILT GUILD COMMUNITY SERVICE DONATIONS

Annie's Star Quilt Guild began distributing quilts to those in need in 1987.
Since that time services to the community have evolved to serve a wide variety of groups. During the year 2009, over 200 quilts were donated as were a like number of place mats.

Major recipients are children in a variety of need situations. Young children in shelters such as Catalyst or Family Services, Foster children, now teens, leaving the system to go into independent living. Shriner's Childrens Hospital and special requests dealing with family tragedy or natural disasters i.e last year's Northern California fires. In addition small 'cuddle' quilt contributions are given to fire and police departments to take to emergencies.

Other regular recipients are senior citizens in nursing homes or home bound. These are distributed by services agencies in the community. The newest project is place mats for seniors receiving Meals on Wheels.

Community Agencies also benefit from ASQG quilts by requesting one for a fund raising event. In 2009 a special request for children's comfort quilts for "Adopt A Family for Christmas" was honored.

The guild has a 'shop' stocked with donations of fabric from members and outside sources. It is kept at the home of a committee member and guild members are invited to visit the stash and select fabric use use for donation quilts. The C.S. Committee also organizes fabric into 'kits' which members can check out at a guild meeting. A quilt is created a by adding additional fabric from their own stash or visiting the shop.

There is no 'requirement' for the number of quilts members are expected to contribute, but one incentive is a group workday scheduled once a month and the June guild meeting is devoted to a small group workday for making quilts for the community. ASQG also participates in Make A Difference Day by planning a two-day workshop each year.

The Community Service Committee extends their heartfelt thanks to all guild members who made quilts for donation to various agencies. Also a big Thank You to members and non-members who agreed to quilt the tops for us. 206 quilts have been given to our recipients. Quilts continue to be received so there is still a supply to share and a few have been reserved as fun raisers. Thank You notes are being received from agencies and individuals who have one of the quilts and each one is filled with gratitude.