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Home | Charity Organizations
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Giving Hearts and HandsCharity Information and Projects |
The Mongolian Quilting Center
In June 2003, Maggie Ball received an impassioned e-mail from a Mongolian woman, Selenge Tserendash, who wanted to help needy women in her country where unemployment is high and alcoholism is rampant. Because even nomadic families have hand-cranked Russian sewing machines and old clothing that can be used for quilted items, Selenge thought quilting would be an ideal activity for Mongolian women and asked for volunteers to teach.
In June 2004, Maggie and her 21-year-old daughter, Hazel, went to Mongolia to help at the recently opened New Way Life Mongolian Quilting Center. Maggie's church and quilting community helped with fund-raising efforts, and the quilting industry was extremely supportive in equipping the Center. Viking sent five sewing machines, David Textiles gave fabric, Prym-Dritz donated rulers, rotary cutters and mats and Coats and Clark provided thread. The Bainbridge Island Rotary Club funded the shipping of these items to Mongolia.
Hazel and Maggie spent two weeks at the Quilting Center. They taught the women to piece the Olzii, the traditional Mongolian motif, which brings long life and prosperity and protects from wild animals and evil spirits. They appliquéd the Olzii block onto tote bags and aprons to make attractive saleable products.
In August 2004, the Center was closed due to lack of funding. Donors at Maggie's church again generously provided funds and the Center was reopened in the basement of an apartment block. In spite of less-than-ideal conditions, the women persevered, and a Mongolian quilting community was established.
In June 2006, Maggie returned to Mongolia with Carol Gregory to help organize the first international quilt show in Mongolia. Two years after starting from scratch, the Mongolian women were making beautiful Olzii quilts. The exhibition in The Department Store in Ulaanbaatar was very successful. Funds raised will enable the Center to move to a better location with enough space for a retail outlet, classroom, workroom, child care and an office.
Within three to five years, the Mongolian Quilting Center should become self-sustaining. In the meantime, financial help and quilting expertise is needed. Go to Maggie's Web site, www.dragonflyquilts.com for further details about how you can help.
Information about additional charities below.
 Bunny Hugs   Pastel plaids and checks make the perfect background for this appliqued bunny. Designed by Julie Weaver. |
 Friendship Quilt Because of one very special lady, this friendship quilt has helped to preserve the fabric of a proud family. Designed by Louise Erwin. |
 Sweet Lambs for Baby The applique shapes on this Sweet Lambs baby quilt are surrounded by a cheerful pieced border constructed with the Drunkard's Path templates. Designed by Linda Denner. |
 Wishing Well Quilt After looking at many antique quilts made with old-fashioned calicos with their tiny prints, I decided to make a similar quilt for myself and so can you. Designed by Connie E. Ark. |
Charity Organizations
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Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative Binky Patrol Hugs for Homeless Animals Junior Blind of America The Mongolian Quilting Center Helping our Lakota Families Project Sunshine Crafting For A Cause is a 501(C)3 not-for-profit organization making hand crafted items with all money raised going to charities for children and elders of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in SD and children at the UC Davis Pediatric Cancer Infusion Center in Sacramento. Prayerfully Yours/Sending Troops Prayers Ministry is a non-profit ministry of volunteers from around America that quilt, crochet, loom and sew prayer cloths and shawls for people who need them and to our troops. Care Wear is a 501(c)(3) non-profit nationwide group of volunteers who provide handmade baby items to hospitals. Guideposts Quilt for Kids Heartmade Blessings Caps for Kids Angels4Preemies The Shawl Ministry Blankets for Canada Society is a non-demoninational, non-profit charity that makes 8" squares to be joined together into blankets. Inspired by Warm Up America, Blankets for Canada distributes blankets to organizations who care for people without shelter and in need of warmth. Squares 4 Survivors |
Newborns In Need Project Linus National Headquarters Quilting Angels Quilts from Caring Hands Faith, Hope and Charity Stitches, Inc. Stitches From the Heart Hats for the Homeless Online Angels is a non-profit 501(C)3 charity that makes loveghans, crosses, angels to comfort and uplift those who are sick, dying, lost a loved one. We make baby items and send to Children's Hospitals, slippers, winter items to send to shelters & reservations. The Giving Heart is a 501(C)(3) non profit organization providing basic needs, assistance, acceptance and opportunities to the underprivileged, elderly, and those who otherwise are hindered in their desire to move forward. Granny Square Project is a ministry where crafters unite to create and donate hand crocheted and quiltted squares to create afghans for critically ill babies and children. All afghans created will be donated to Cook Children's Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas, Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center Neonatal ICU in Waco Texas, as well as given directly to individuals as we come across them. Warm Hearts-Warm Babies donates items that are sewn, quiltted, crocheted, and quilted for premature infants and babies in need. Quilts for Kids Sewing for Babies Warming Families Warm Up America! Warm Woolies is a non-profit organization whose volunteers quilt warm clothing for poverty-stricken children who would otherwise suffer from cold. Soldiers' Angels |