God's Gifts
Parishioner gives quilt to campaign

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
Posted March 6, 2003

ROCKWELL CITY - When a pledge card for the Centennial Campaign for Excellence in the Diocese of Sioux City was sent to Carolyn and Don Richardson of St. Francis Church, giving the requested dollar amount was not an option.

"We didn't have it. We don't make any bones about it, we're poor people," acknowledged Carolyn.

At the same time, she feels strongly about people holding up their end to support the church. She asked herself how she might best give to the campaign.

The Rockwell City parishioner makes many quilts every year and that got her thinking about how she could best use her gifts and talents for the good of the church.

"I thought if I invest in the best material possible and find a nice quilt pattern, I could make a quilt," she said. "I thought if they want it, they will say yes."

When Carolyn sent in the pledge card, she wrote down that she would make a quilt. Upon receiving a thank you card for her donation, she took that as a yes.

"Carolyn made a very generous gift when she gave this quilt to the diocese for the centennial campaign," said Jim Wharton, director of development. "Showing it to people who know something about quilts - they say it is a beautiful piece."

The quilt, which measures 87 by 108 inches, can be used on a queen-size bed. It consists of pink, white and rose solid and print fabrics.

Carolyn worked three months on the quilt. She even quit two of her three bridge clubs to devote time to the project.

"Carolyn's interest was in supporting the centennial campaign, so we wanted to figure out a way that we could do that and make sure that her gift had some impact," explained Wharton. "We are very appreciative of her gift. We wanted to maximize her gift as best as we can and we believe a diocesan-wide raffle is the best way to do it."

After securing a license for the raffle, the diocese has opted to sell chances for the centennial raffle to parishioners throughout the diocese for $5. In addition to a coupon in The Globe, people can find a printable coupon on the diocesan Web site at www.scdiocese.org.

"It would be great if we could raise $2,000 to $3,000 on this," said Wharton.

Carolyn, who has been quilting for about 25 years, pointed out that she belongs to a quilting group at the parish. Every year they make a quilt to be raffled off at the annual turkey dinner. It generally brings about $600. She was hoping that the diocesan centennial raffle will do at least as well.

For two years, she had made and donated the quilt top for the parish quilt. Last year, four women worked together to make a simple quilt and that still raised about $600.

And while her fellow quilters offered their assistance with the quilt she made for the diocese, Carolyn couldn't accept the help.

"I thanked them, but no, that was Don's and my donation to the diocese," said Carolyn.

The other quilters did, however, help her look through quilt books as Carolyn sought the perfect pattern. She selected a 1985 pattern called Lancaster Rose - Dresden Plate.

"Of all the quilt books, this was the most beautiful," she said. The pattern came from the book, Great American Quilts, 1988, that was given to her from a lady who had to clean out her house when she moved to a nursing home.

Upon review of the pattern, the women learned that it was all hand applique. The rounded pattern increased the difficulty of the quilt. Her friends suggested she select another pattern.

"The girls thought I was out of my tree when I said I was going to do it," she acknowledged. "I knew it would be very challenging, but it was for the church."

As with all of the quilts she works on, Carolyn said she put her all into it. Using her gifts and talents for the church is a number one priority for Carolyn.

"Church support, family support and community are how my priorities are listed," she stressed.

Carolyn is active in the community in a variety of ways. She volunteers at the community senior center, works at the blood mobile, was a 4-H leader and scout leader.

One of the reasons she feels so strongly about giving back to the community is because they have helped her. Two of her five children had the terminal illness cystic fibrosis, one of whom died as a result of the illness at the age of 30. Doctors estimate that her 36-year-old son will need a heart and lung transplant within two years. Carolyn's husband is also ill.

Despite the struggles of having children with major illnesses, she said she considered that a blessing in itself because it taught them to take one day at a time and live it to the fullest.

"My husband says the only thing the matter with me is that I don't know how to say no," said Carolyn.

Bishop Daniel N. DiNardo will draw the winner at the close of office hours on Friday, May 23, which is his birthday. Entries postmarked by Wednesday, May 21 will be included in the drawing.

The diocese will hand deliver the quilt should the winner be located in the Diocese of Sioux City.