T he Oconto Wannabe Quilters received $500 from Community “Change” in September. I stopped in at their October meeting to find out exactly what this group did and to get some pictures of them doing it.

Two things struck me as I walked into the room where the Oconto Wannabe Quilters were working – the beautiful quilts, stockings and bears that were all over the room and how much the women were enjoying themselves.

Quilts have also been donated to families who have had a tragic fire, homeless people or elderly people who just need something to help keep them warm. Besides quilts, the women also make teddy bears for children in the hospital, Christmas stockings, scarves, hats and mittens.

The Community “Change” money will be used for materials to make more items that will be donated to the comfort of others. The

In 1998 a small group of women - Myrtle Haag, Barb Van Hulle, Joyce Belongia, Donna Baird and Illma Young - decided they wanted to start a quilting club and to donate the quilts to people who were less fortunate than themselves. Today the club has 12-15 members and meets once a month to work on and organize projects but a lot of the work is done in member’s homes in-between meetings. So far the Oconto Wannabe Quilters have made over 300 quilts.

Oconto Wannabe Quilters are always in need of material, batting, thread and other miscellaneous items and will gladly accept any donations. If you have extra material or supplies that you would like to donate to the Wannabe Quilters, contact Myrtle Haag (920) 834-5414.

Community “Change” money comes from Oconto Electric members who choose to round up their electric bills to the nearest whole dollar or more. All member donations are matched by Bay Lakes Companies, LLC, so members are getting double the value of their donation.