A small, but happy, group of quilters at Aladdin Villas, Mission, have found their place by providing warm quilts to children. Over the years they have donated to a colonia in Penitas and to Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA). CASA has a Christmas event every year, and this year, 82 children were able to go home with a quilt of their own.

The quilts were made by a small group at the park that gets together twice a week all year round. The materials used are mostly donated from people within their community. Some residents donate their unused fabric when they go back up north.

Catherine Raftery says every person has a part to play – between measuring, cutting and sewing, everyone has a place to pitch in. They keep busy with all their donations and have a great time getting together each week. The group even quilts 11 blankets each year for Veterans in the park.

“I absolutely love it,” said Raftery about the group and what they do. She used to foster kids in Ireland and understands how much these children need what little they are able to give them.

Their quilting group, she said, is like a therapy group. They are all friends and enjoy their time getting together, sewing for a great cause, and solving world problems together.
CASA, casaofhidalgo.com, are volunteers that are trained to represent and advocate for a child’s best interest in the child protection system. They are appointed to children in the foster care system to help them find a safe, permanent home as soon as possible.

Photos courtesy of Catherine Raftery, Aladdin Villas.